An immortalized septal cell line that expresses trkA mRNA in response to basic fibroblast growth factor

Cells dissociated from embryonic rat septum were transfected with SV40 large T antigen gene by the calcium phosphate precipitation method. One of the cloned lines (EG6) had a flat morphology and expressed nestin gene, a marker of neural stem cells. Upon stimulation with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), morphological changes of EG6 cells were induced, e.g. shrinkage of cell body and extension of neuritic processes. Furthermore, bFGF induced expression of the high affinity NGF receptor (trkA) gene. EG6 cell line thus will be useful for studies of roles of bFGF in the developing CNS as well as for studies of the regulation of trkA gene expression.

Detection of triazolam in skeletal remains buried for 4 years

Analyses of the hypnotic triazolam from the remains of two human skeletons buried underground for 4 years were made for purposes of confirmation. The bone marrow and mummified muscle were digested with 2 M sodium hydroxide, efficiently extracted using a 3-step solvent extraction procedure, and selectively analyzed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry with the negative ion chemical ionization mode. Estazolam was the internal standard used. Triazolam was detected in all the samples; the concentrations were 0.36 ng/g in the bone marrow of one victim, and 0.37 and 5.5 ng/g in the bone marrow and mummified muscle of the other victim. This method should prove useful for determination of triazolam in extensively decomposed bodies.

Blockage of urinary responses by inhibitors for IP3-mediated pathway in rat vomeronasal sensory neurons

The mammalian vomeronasal system is involved in the effects of urinary chemicals on gonadal functions and sexual behaviors. For example, exposure to urine affects the timing of oestrous cycles in rats. Rat vomeronasal sensory neurons in slice preparation were studied under on-cell patch clamp conditions. We found that urine excreted from male Wistar rats increased impulse frequency in vomeronasal sensory neurons of female Wistar rats. The urinary responses were blocked by an inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3)-channel inhibitor (10 microM ruthenium red) or phospholipase C inhibitors (10 microM U-73122 and 1 mM neomycin), suggesting that pheromone-like substances in the urine induce the response in the rat vomeronasal sensory neurons via the IP3-dependent transduction pathway.

Carnosine-induced inward currents in rat olfactory bulb neurons in cultured slices

Olfactory neurons are rich in carnosine, which is regarded as a possible neurotransmitter between olfactory neurons and the olfactory bulb neurons. In the present study, we used the organotypic slice culture technique to culture olfactory bulb neurons and explore carnosine's role in the olfactory system. Inward current responses to carnosine upon increases in membrane conductance were recorded under whole-cell voltage-clamp conditions. The inward currents were desensitized during continuous application of carnosine. At carnosine concentrations above 50 microM, the current responses increased with increases in carnosine concentrations. The present results suggest that carnosine serves as an excitable neuroeffector between olfactory neurons and olfactory bulb neurons.

A calcium channel in human submandibular duct cell line, HSG cells, not regulated by P2U purinergic receptor-mediated intracellular calcium mobilization

Signal transduction via P2 purinergic receptors was investigated in HSG cells, a continuous cell line originally derived from an irradiated human salivary gland. Ligand specificity for nucleotide receptors in HSG cells was investigated with various nucleotides and their analogues. Inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate (IP3) production was significantly increased by ATP, UTP and ATP gamma S. The ligand specificity of this effect agreed well with that of the P2U purinergic receptor. On the other hand, 45Ca2+ influx was stimulated by ATP, UTP > ATP gamma S, ADP, UDP > ADP beta S > AMPPNP, GTP, TTP > CTP, GDP, TDP, AMPPCP, AMPCPP. This ligand specificity of 45Ca2+ influx was much broader than IP3 production. Also pertussis and cholera toxin had no effect on both IP3 production and 45Ca2+ influx by ATP or UTP. 3'-O-(4-benzoylbenzoyl)adenosine 5'-triphosphate (Bz-ATP) stimulates 45Ca2+ influx more effectively than IP3 formation. A 53-kDa membrane protein was photolabelled with [alpha-32P]Bz-ATP. This 53-kDa protein is a putative P2 purinergic receptor. In particular, the labelling was inhibited by a ligand profile that corresponded to that for 45Ca2+ influx. These findings suggest that nucleotides stimulate 45Ca2+ influx and IP3 formation by separate pathways via pertussis and cholera toxin-insensitive G proteins. Thus, in HSG cells, IP3 formation is coupled to the P2U subclass, while 45Ca2+ influx is coupled to another subclass, such as P2X, that regulates calcium channels.

Specific inhibitor for bitter taste: inhibition of frog taste nerve responses and human taste sensation to bitter stimuli

Among various taste stimuli, bitter substances are most abundant and their chemical structures are greatly diverse from each other. It has been known that there are multiple receptor sites and transduction mechanisms. Already in neonates, bitter stimuli elicit rejection responses, indicating strong negative hedonic tone. Bitter taste is decidedly unpleasant when the sensation is strong. The development of a method to mask bitterness has widely been required in pharmaceutical sciences and food sciences. To mask bitterness, a specific bitterness inhibitor would be most useful. Such an inhibitor would also be useful in elucidating the receptor mechanisms of bitter substances. No inhibitor has, however, been available. Recently we found that a lipoprotein, PA-LG made of phosphatidic acid (PA) and beta-lactoglobulin (beta-LG), selectively suppresses the taste responses to bitter substances. In this paper we describe the protocol used for inhibition of the frog taste (glossopharyngeal) nerve responses to bitter stimuli by the lipoprotein. The frog taste system is used because it is sensitive to various bitter substances and surgery of the animal for the electrophysiological recording is rather easy. We also describe the protocol used for inhibition of human taste sensation to bitter stimuli.

Long-term recording of olfactory and vomeronasal stimulant-induced waves from the turtle main olfactory bulb and accessory olfactory bulb

Recording of stimulant-induced waves (bulbar responses) from the main olfactory bulb is a useful tool for measuring quantitative stable olfactory responses. There is a good relationship between the olfactory bulbar response, olfactory nerve response and electroolfactogram (EOG), suggesting that the bulbar response reflects events in receptor cells. The modern whole-cell recording technique offers direct information on olfactory transduction in single cells, but it requires long experimental periods and many animals. On the other hand, analysis of bulbar responses provides useful information and requires the use of few animals. For example, we found that cAMP-increasing and IP3-increasing odorants were not distinctly received by the turtle olfactory organ by measuring olfactory bulbar responses and analyzed with a multidimensional scaling from about 60 animals. However, to record similar odor responses from isolated turtle olfactory neurons, at least 200 animals would be necessary. Bulbar responses are recorded with electrodes implanted into or located on the main olfactory bulb. When electrodes are located on the olfactory bulb surface, it is possible to record stable responses over a period of 3 days. These methods were applied successfully to the accessory olfactory bulb. In this paper, we describe the protocols used for recording of the stimulant-induced waves from the main and accessory olfactory bulb.

Tophaceous pseudogout of the temporomandibular joint: report of a case

An 85-year-old man was found to have a calcified mass protruding from the joint space of the right temporomandibular joint (TMJ). Microscopically, the removed mass consisted of chondromyxoid tissue with atypical chondrocytes, resembling a cartilaginous tumor. However, the chondromyxoid tissue contained abundant deposits of rod-shaped to rhomboid crystals which proved to be calcium pyrophosphate dihydrate (CPPD) crystals. The review of the literature revealed that tophaceous pseudogout was the most common variant of CPPD deposition disease involving the TMJ.

Two types of microsomal prostaglandin E synthase: glutathione-dependent and -independent prostaglandin E synthases

Prostaglandin (PG) E synthase was found to be widely distributed in the microsomal fractions of rat organs. Among them, an extremely high activity was seen in the deferent duct (112 nmol/min x mg) and other genital accessory organs (10-20 nmol/min x mg). In non-genital organs, the kidney had the highest activity (8 nmol/min x mg). Most of the PGE synthase activity in these organs required glutathione (GSH). In contrast, the enzyme activity in the heart, spleen, and uterine microsomes did not require GSH for its catalytic activity. In view of these data and those of other enzymatic parameters (Km values for PGH2 or pH optima), we suggest that two different types of PGE synthases, GSH-dependent and GSH-independent enzymes, are present in microsomal fractions of rat tissues.

Tissue-specific methylation occurs in the essential promoter element of the tyrosine hydroxylase gene

Expression of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) is regulated in a tissue-specific manner by multiple mechanisms. In catecholaminergic cells, the expression of TH-mRNA is up-regulated by forskolin (FK) and is suppressed by retinoic acid (RA). We have previously provided evidence that, in N-18 cells, the expression of TH-mRNA is suppressed by DNA methylation of the TH gene itself. In the present study, using a catecholaminergic cell line, N1E-115, we performed deletional and mutational analyses on the 5'-flanking region of the mouse TH gene. The results indicate that a cAMP response element (CRE) mediates constitutive transcription of the TH gene, as well as responsiveness to FK and RA. Using bisulfite sequencing methods, we analyzed the methylation status of the TH gene 5'-flanking region in various cell lines and rat tissues. We found that three cytosine residues in the domain surrounding the CRE of the TH gene promoter were specifically methylated in N-18 cells and TH non-expressing rat tissues. In contrast, these cytosines were undermethylated in TH expressing cell lines and tissues. The inverse correlation between the frequency of cytosine methylation at these specific sites and the levels of TH expression supports a role for DNA methylation in the regulation of tissue-specific gene expression.

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D in idiopathic retinal vasculitis

BACKGROUND

We examined four patients who exhibited both idiopathic retinal vasculitis and elevated serum IgD levels. Uveitis caused by Behçet's disease is also associated with high levels of serum IgD. Therefore, the clinical features of these patients were investigated and the possible relationship between retinal vasculitis and elevated serum IgD was examined after undertaking a study of increased IgD levels in patients diagnosed with uveitis.

METHODS

The study population was composed of 110 patients: 49 with Behçet's disease, 15 with sarcoidosis, 10 with Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease, and 36 with other forms of uveitis. IgD measurements were performed using modifications of the latex photometric immunoassay. Surface IgD (sIgD) expression in peripheral lymphocytes was determined by immunofluorescence, and the correlation between serum IgD levels and the percentage of sIgD-positive cells was examined.

RESULTS

Twelve of the 110 patients had an elevated serum IgD. Eight of the 12 had Behçet's disease, and 4 were diagnosed with idiopathic retinal vasculitis. These 4 patients were HLA-A24+ females whose ages ranged from 8 to 25 years. A linear correlation between the serum IgD levels and the percentage of sIgD-positive cells was found.

CONCLUSION

Hyperimmunoglobulinemia D state was found in Behçet's disease and idiopathic retinal vasculitis. These diseases may represent a new clinical entity characterized by signs of retinal vasculitis and hyperimmunoglobulinemia D that results from abnormal B cell activation and immune complex-mediated responses.

Basic studies for the practical use of bitterness inhibitors: selective inhibition of bitterness by phospholipids

PURPOSE

We examined the effects of phospholipids such as phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol (PI), and phosphatidic acid (PA) on human taste sensation to various substances.

METHODS

The effects were evaluated psychophysically using paid volunteers.

RESULTS

PA inhibited the bitterness of various substances dissolved in water without affecting sweetness, saltiness, and sourness, although its inhibitory activity was less than that of PA-LG. PI also showed inhibitory activity on bitterness, although its activity was less than PA. A soybean lecithin fraction containing high contents of PA and PI also demonstrated inhibitory activity on the bitterness of various substances. Both the incorporation of either PA or the lecithin fraction into granules containing quinine and the coating of the granules with PA or the fraction effectively inhibited the bitterness of quinine.

CONCLUSIONS

The lecithin fraction is permitted for use as an additive to drugs and food and can be produced on an industrial scale. It is expected that the lecithin fraction will be used safely as a bitterness inhibitor for practical applications.

Cancer risk after renal transplantation in Japan

Excess of cancer in patients receiving renal transplantation is well-known in Western countries, but information in Japan remains limited. Our study examined whether excess risk is found in patients receiving renal transplantation in Japan. Between 1970 and 1995, 1155 males and 589 females underwent renal transplantation in 6 hospitals, and a total of 12,982 person-years of observation was accumulated. Malignancies developed in 2.6% of patients; O/E ratio was 2.78. Median interval from renal transplantation to tumor development was 58 months. The interval in the patients receiving medication with cyclosporine-A (CyA) (median, 42.5 months) was significantly shorter than that with non-CyA (median, 95.5 months). Median age at the diagnosis of malignancy was 40 years, which is much younger than that in the general population. Relative risk was highest in renal cancer, followed by thyroid cancer, malignant lymphoma and uterine cancer. A distribution of malignancies was different from that reported from Western countries. These findings showed the excess risk of malignancies in Japan with renal transplants, especially in male patients, similar to that observed in Western countries, though the types of malignancy were different.

Heat-induced apoptosis and p53 in cultured mammalian cells

Heat-induced apoptosis was studied in M10 and MOLT-4 cells by determining nuclear morphological changes, decrease in cell size, DNA degradation into fragments of about 30 kbp, and the appearance of internucleosomal DNA fragments (DNA ladders). Morphological changes in the nucleus were detected within 30 min after heat-treatment at 44 degrees C in M10 cells, but much later (> 5 h) in MOLT-4 cells. In M10 cells, 30 kbp-DNA fragments were observed even at the end of the heat-treatment and decreased 10 min later, while the DNA ladder increased at 10-30 min after heat treatment. DNA fragments of 30 kbp appeared in MOLT-4 cells at 1 h after the heat-treatment and apparently accumulated for up to 24 h. Heat-treatment increased p53 protein in MOLT-4 cells but not in M10 cells. Analysis of the DNA sequence of the p53 gene revealed that M10 cells have a heterozygous mutation in codon 173 of exon 5. These results suggest that apoptosis is induced by hyperthermia in a cell-line dependent manner, that the formation of 30 kbp-DNA fragments is a very early event in apoptosis, that DNA fragmentation into a DNA ladder occurs via the 30 kbp fragments, and that apoptosis in heat-treated M10 cells may be independent of p53.

Genetic profiles of newly inbred Dahl/Iwai salt-sensitive and salt-resistant rats

Dahl-Iwai salt-sensitive (S) and salt-resistant (R) rat strains were established as inbred strains at Brookhaven National Laboratory, NY, and were introduced into Eisai Co., Ltd., Japan, and designated DIS/Eis and DIR/Eis. To examine whether there are different allele distributions among the substrains of inbred Dahl S and R rats, we determined biochemical and immunological alleles of DIS/Eis and DIR/Eis, and SS/Sea and SR/Sea, which were derived from SS/Jr and SR/Jr, which were developed by Rapp and Dene. Several differences of allele distribution were observed, indicating that the substrains have different genetic backgrounds. The phenotypic differences between the substrains, such as the severity of the hypertension induced, could be ascribed to the different genetic backgrounds.

Pigmented variant of benign oncocytic lesion of the pharynx

A case of pigmented variant of benign oncocytic lesions is reported. The lesion was incidentally found in the pharynx of a 69-year-old man, and the gross appearances were multiple, small, flat elevations with black discoloration. Microscopically, ducts of seromucinous glands were replaced by melanin-containing oncocytes and adjacent dendritic melanocytes. To date, such a pigmented variant of benign oncocytic lesion has not been reported before.

Distribution of neuropeptide-containing nerve fibers in the human submandibular gland, with special reference to the difference between serous and mucous acini

Distribution of neuropeptide Y (NPY)-, vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP)-, galanin (GAL)-, substance P (SP)-, and calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-immunoreactive nerve fibers in the human submandibular gland was examined by the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method with attention to high-quality fixation and the condition of patients. NPY-, VIP-, and GAL-immunoreactive varicose fibers were densely distributed around the acini and ducts. Some of these fibers extended between acinar cells. The density of SP- and CGRP-immunoreactive fibers was relatively low. The number of NPY-, VIP-, and GAL-immunoreactive fibers around the mucous acini was significantly higher than around the serous acini. In the perivasculature, NPY-immunoreactive fibers were more numerous than other immunoreactive fibers. No somatostatin-, leucine-, or methionine-enkephalin-immunoreactive fibers were detected. Our findings suggest that a large number of periacinar VIP-, NPY-, and GAL-immunoreactive fibers may participate in regulating the synthesis of saliva and its secretion. Since the VIP-, NPY-, and GAL-immunoreactive fibers are more numerous around the mucous acini than around the serous ones, these fibers may take part more actively in regulating the secretory mechanisms in the mucous acini than in the serous ones. The relatively low number of CGRP- and SP-immunoreactive fibers suggests that they are less involved in the function of the human submandibular gland. Perivascular peptidergic fibers, especially NPY-immunoreactive fibers, may be involved in controlling local blood flow in this gland.

Odor discrimination of 'cAMP-' and 'IP3-increasing' odorants at high temperature and at high NaCl concentration in turtle olfactory system

The ability of the turtle olfactory system to discriminate between various cAMP- and IP3-increasing odorants at high temperature and at high NaCl concentration in the olfactory bulb was examined by the cross-adaptation technique. The degrees of discrimination in high [Na+] solution were similar to those in normal Ringer's solution, suggesting that selectivities of receptors coupled with cAMP- and IP3-dependent pathways are similar to those coupled with both cAMP- and IP3-independent pathways. The mean values of the degree of discrimination among the IP3-increasing odorants were higher than those among the cAMP-increasing odorants at high temperature and at high [Na+] concentration. The degrees of discrimination among the IP3-increasing odorants at 40 degrees C were greater than those at 25 degrees C, while those among the cAMP-increasing odorants at 40 degrees C were similar to those at 25 degrees C, suggesting that the features of the receptors of cAMP-increasing odorants are different from those which respond to IP3-increasing odorants.

Inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate induces responses in receptor neurons in rat vomeronasal sensory slices

Using the whole-cell mode of the patch-clamp technique, we recorded action potentials, voltage-activated cationic currents and putative second messenger-activated currents in receptor neurons in the vomeronasal sensory epithelium of female rats. The resting membrane potential and input resistance were -45.5 +/- 2.5 mV (mean +/- SEM, n = 39) and 1.5 +/- 0.2 G omega (mean +/- SEM, n = 37). Current injection of 1-3 pA induced overshooting action potentials. The firing frequency increased with increasing current injections linearly from 1 to 10 pA and reached a plateau at 30 pA, suggesting that rat vomeronasal receptor neurons sensitively elicit action potentials in response to a small receptor potential. Under voltage clamp, voltage-dependent Na+ inward current, inward Ca2+ current, sustained outward K+ current and Ca-(2+)-activated K(+)-current were identified. Dialysis of D-inositol-1,4,5-trisphosphate (D-IP3) induced inward currents with an increase in membrane conductance in approximately 54% of the cells and inward current fluctuations in 15% of the cell. L-IP3 also induced inward currents and current fluctuations in 53 and 13% of the cells respectively. The mean amplitude of inward currents induced by 100 microM D-IP3 and L-IP3 were 84.6 +/- 14.0 pA (SEM, n = 82) and 66.1 +/- 9.4 pA (SEM, n = 100) respectively. The IP3-induced responses were blocked by elimination of Na+ and Ca2+ in the external solution or application of 10 microM ruthenium red. The present study suggested that IP3-mediated transduction pathways exist in rat vomeronasal receptor neurons.

Cladinose analogues of sixteen-membered macrolide antibiotics. IV. Improved therapeutic effects of 4-O-acyl-L-cladinose analogues of sixteen-membered macrolide antibiotics

Six derivatives of sixteen-membered macrolides possessing 4-O-acyl-alpha-L-cladinose as a neutral sugar were synthesized via 3"-methylthiomethyl ether intermediates in reasonable yield. Introduction of a methyl group on the 3"-hydroxyl group of midecamycin A1 was effective for enhancing its antibacterial activity. All these derivatives exhibited excellent therapeutic effects in mice, and some of them showed improved pharmacokinetics compared with the natural antibiotics (mycarose type) in mice. Facile synthesis of 9-O-acylated analogues are also described.

Alpha-fetoprotein-producing carcinoma of the colon: report of a case

We report herein the rare case of a 67-year-old man in whom alpha-feto-protein (AFP)-producing carcinoma originated in the transverse colon, describing the clinical course of the patient and the histological features of the tumor. At the age of 63, the patient had been diagnosed as having sigmoid colon carcinoma, and surgery was carried out. However, 4 years later, his fecal occult blood test was positive, and further investigation revealed a transverse colon carcinoma with liver metastasis. The serum AFP measured preoperatively was 10978 ng/ml. Resection of the transverse colon and a liver biopsy were performed, following which his serum AFP level decreased to 4804 ng/ml. Histology of the ulcerated lesion in the transverse colon showed a poorly differentiated adenocarcinoma with a medullary growth pattern. Using an immunohistochemical staining method, AFP-producing cells were detected in the transverse colon carcinoma and the liver metastasis. Based on our experience of this patient and a review of the literature on the few cases previously reported, we conclude that AFP-producing coloretal carcinoma has a tendency to produce blood-borne metastasis and to be associated with a poor prognosis.

Cladinose analogues of sixteen-membered macrolide antibiotics. III. Efficient synthesis of 4-O-alkyl-L-cladinose analogues: improved antibacterial activities compatible with pharmacokinetics

The synthesis and biological evaluation of sixteen-membered macrolides possessing a 4-O-alkyl-alpha-L-cladinosyl moiety as a neutral sugar are described. These potent novel derivatives have been efficiently synthesized avoiding glycosylations. Two hydroxyl groups in mycarose of the tri-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl) ether intermediate were successively alkylated. Sequential deprotections of silyl groups afforded 4-O-alkyl-L-cladinose analogues and 3,4-di-O-alkyl-L-mycarose analogues of leucomycin V. Some 4-O-alkyl-L-cladinose analogues exhibited potent antibacterial activities. The most active derivative, 3"-O-methyl-4"-O-(3-methylbutyl)leucomycin V, showed improved metabolic stability in rat plasma in vitro and extremely high concentrations in serum after oral administrations in mice and in hamsters.

Multicentric Breast Carcinoma: Evaluation of Clinicopathological and Immunohistochemical Characteristics

Multicentric breast carcinomas not diagnosed clinically, were examined by serial step-cut sectioning of the whole breast, and multicentric carcinoma cases were compared with single carcinoma cases with regard to histological and clinicopathological findings. In 7(3.7%) out of 187 surgically resected breasts, latent carcinomas apart from the main carcinoma were noted. The size of the latent carcinoma varied from 0.2 to 5 cm in diameter. The histological type was noninvasive ductal carcinoma in six cases and invasive ductal carcinoma in one case. When the main carcinoma was small in size (less than 2.5 cm in diameter), and showed papillotubular carcinoma as the histological type or had estrogen receptor (ER) by the dextran-coated charcoal (DCC) method, the incidence of latent carcinoma was high. In 5 of 6 cases with latent carcinoma examined by immunohistochemistry, latent carcinomas showed expression of ER. Concerning Ki-67, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and p53 protein, there was no significant difference between the main and latent carcinomas, as well as with other clinicopathological factors.

[Immunologic analysis of milk, hen egg, and soybean proteins in butter and margarine, and clinical assessment for availability of hypoallergenic margarine (HAM)]

To determine the allergenic proteins in commercially available butter and margarine, protein fractions were extracted and immunologically analyzed against milk, hen egg, and soybean antigens. Butter and 10 kinds of margarine were proved to contain these proteins in various concentrations by ELISA and immunoblotting methods by use of the rabbit antisera developed against each food proteins. However, hypoallergenic margarine was found to contain no such proteins at all. Using sera obtained from atopic dermatitis patients, previously detected high levels of IgE antibodies to milk, hen egg, or soybeans, the extracted protein fraction from butter and margarine was analyzed whether these proteins react with IgG antibodies in patients' sera. The sera with high levels of specific IgE recognized protein antigens in these extracts except those from hypoallergenic margarine, suggesting that proteins in butter and margarine may become allergenic for the patients sensitive to the proteins, and that hypoallergenic margarine will be a reasonable alternative for the allergic patients to milk, hen egg, or soybeans.

Existence of multiple receptors in single neurons: responses of single bullfrog olfactory neurons to many cAMP-dependent and independent odorants

The responses of single bullfrog olfactory neurons to various odorants were measured with the whole-cell patch clamp which offers direct information on cellular events and with the ciliary recording technique to obtain stable quantitative data from many neurons. A large portion of single olfactory neurons (about 64% and 79% in the whole-cell recording and in the ciliary recording, respectively) responded to many odorants with quite diverse molecular structures, including both odorants previously indicated to be cAMP-dependent (increasing) and independent odorants. One odorant elicited a response in many cells; e.g. hedione and citralva elicited the response in 100% and 92% of total neurons examined with the ciliary recording technique. To confirm that a single neuron carries different receptors or transduction pathways, the cross-adaptation technique was applied to single neurons. Application of hedione to a single neuron after desensitization of the current in response to lyral or citralva induced an inward current with a similar magnitude to that applied alone. It was suggested that most single olfactory neurons carry multiple receptors and at least dual transduction pathways.

[The accuracy of several brands of portable peak flow meter, and the predicted value of peak expiratory flow rate for children]

The accuracy, reproducibility and interdevice variability of 6 brands of peak flow meter were evaluated by using a flow generator. The accuracy was satisfiable except for Mini-Wright, which overread by up to 29%. It is essential to identify the brands to compare the data of peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) from different studies. The reproducibility was under 5%, reliable enough for personal monitoring. The low range models were inferior to the normal range models as a whole. There are some studies about the normal value of PEFR for Japanese children. They have drawn different linear equations to obtain the predicted value of PEFR from the body height. However, none of them can be the "gold standard".

Ontogeny of regulatory neuropeptides in the bullfrog taste organ

During metamorphic stages (stages XX-XXV), the first appearance of nerve fibers containing substance P (SP), calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), vasoactive intestinal polypeptide (VIP), galanin (GAL), and neuropeptide Y (NPY) in the bullfrog taste organs was different for each substance. CGRP fibers appeared first in association with the immature taste organs at stage XX. Up to stage XXV, the taste organs, epithelial disks, are close to their adult form, and SP, VIP and GAL fibers appeared within them. Throughout these stages, NPY fibers were absent, and no taste cells had immunoreactivity of the five neuropeptides. The present findings and previous physiological studies suggest that the immature taste organs in metamorphic stages already function as chemical and mechanical receptors and that these sensory mechanisms are under the control of peptidergic innervation.

Precise coexistence of regulatory peptides in the nerve fibers of the amphibian carotid labyrinth demonstrated by a combination of double immunofluorescence labelling and a multiple dye filter

An application of double-immunolabelling in combination with a multiple dye filter system demonstrated new findings regarding the distribution pattern of peptidergic fibers in the carotid labyrinth to addition to our previous findings shown by the individual filter system. In high magnification images of about 10% of the yellowish fibers which represent the coexistence of two neuropeptides, there was a definite difference in localization between the fluorescence originating from rhodamine (substance P fibers) and from FITC (vasoactive intestinal polypeptide and neuropeptide Y fibers), but it was clear that they are intertwined within a single nerve bundle. This combination method was able to discriminate two different peptidergic fibers which run side by side. The coexistence suggested previously by the individual filter system may actually be due to the phenomenon described above. This means that it is necessary to apply the multiple dye filter system for reliable evidence of coexistence of different two substances in a single nerve fiber.

Parasellar chronic inflammatory disease presenting Tolosa-Hunt syndrome, hypopituitarism and diabetes insipidus: a case report

We describe a 60-year-old man with a history of Tolosa-Hunt syndrome associated with intermittent painful ophthalmoplegia and a visual disturbance on the left side, who presented with signs and symptoms of severe hypoadrenalism and diabetes insipidus. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated enlargement of the hypophysis and infundibulum and left cavernous sinus. An endocrinologic study revealed anterior pituitary dysfunction and diabetes insipidus. The patient underwent a transsphenoidal biopsy which revealed chronic inflammation in the hypophysis, mucosa of the sphenoid sinus, and dura mater. The patient was treated with steroids that decreased the size of the hypophysis and infundibulum, but the symptoms of anterior pituitary insufficiency and diabetes insipidus have persisted. The chronic inflammation of the hypophysis and infundibulum is thought to have spread from the cavernous sinus.

Ca2+ and Cl(-)-dependence of the turtle olfactory response to odorants and forskolin

In the turtle olfactory system, large responses to odorants appeared after application of cAMP of forskolin at high concentrations to the isolated olfactory receptor neurons or the olfactory epithelium, suggesting that a cAMP-independent pathway greatly contributes to the generation of odor responses. We measured the effects of the mucosal Ca2+ and Cl- concentrations and a Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-)-channel blocker, 4-acetamide-4'-(isothiocyano) stilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid (SITS), upon olfactory bulbar responses to explore the contribution of the Ca(2+)-activated Cl(-)-channels to cAMP-dependent and independent pathways. Elimination of mucosal Ca2+ by addition of 2 mM EGTA to the stimulating solution partially inhibited the cAMP-independent responses to 0.1 mM citralva but did not affect those to 0.1 mM lilial or 0.1 mM l-carvone. Substitution of mucosal Cl- with gluconate slightly enhanced the total response to 0.1 mM citralva but practically did not affect the responses to other odorants tested. SITS (2 mM) partially inhibited the responses to 50 microM forskolin and 0.1 mM citralva but did not affect the cAMP-independent response to 0.1 mM citralva in Ca(2+)-free Ringer's solution. These results suggested that the Ca(2+)-activated Cl- channels do not contribute to the generation of the cAMP-independent responses, but that they partially contribute to the generation of the cAMP-dependent responses in the turtle.

The rodent granular convoluted tubule cell--an update

The cells of the granular convoluted tubule (GCT) of the rodent submandibular gland (SMG) are under complex developmental and multihormonal regulation. Recent findings indicate that GCT cells also synthesize transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), hepatocyte growth factor, erythroid differentiation factor, endothelin, and insulin-like growth factor, as well as several novel androgen-dependent proteins of unknown function. The GCTs of hypophysectomized mice provide a convenient model to study multihormonal regulation of gene expression. The GCT system of the rodent SMG also is a fruitful model for study of hormone receptors.

Regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase in submandibular glands of hypophysectomized male mice by steroid and thyroid hormones

The effects of thyroid hormone, androgen, glucocorticoid, and mineralocorticoid on Na+,K+-ATPase activity and on levels of its alpha-subunit protein (alpha 1 isoform) in mouse submandibular gland (SMG) were studied by enzyme assay for ouabain-sensitive ATP hydrolysis, by quantitative densitometric scanning of Western blots, and by immunohistochemistry. To define the specific regulatory effects of various pituitary-dependent hormones on expression of Na+,K+-ATPase in the SMG, we treated hypophysectomized (hypox) male mice with triiodo-L-thyronine (T3), 5 alpha-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), dexamethasone (Dex), and aldosterone (Ald), injected singly or in combination. Na+,K+-ATPase was confined to the duct system of the SMG. In intact mice there was a gender difference in SMG Na+,K+-ATPase, with levels of the enzyme's activity and of its alpha 1-subunit being less in the glands of males. In males, hypophysectomy caused a rise in levels of Na+,K+-ATPase activity and in levels of the alpha 1-subunit protein of this enzyme, and in intensity of immunocytochemical staining for this subunit but there were no such changes in the SMG of hypox females. Changes caused by hormonal replacement to hypox males in Na+,K-ATPase activity, levels of its alpha 1-subunit, or the intensity of immunocytochemical staining for this subunit were complex. Ald had no effect. T3 or dexamethasone, given alone, induced Na+,K+-ATPase activity above control values (hypox males) and increased levels of its alpha 1-subunit protein and immunohistochemical staining for this subunit. By contrast, DHT did not cause a decline in any of these parameters. However, when treatment with T3 was combined with administration of Dex or DHT, enzymatic activity of Na+,K+-ATPase decreased but levels of the alpha 1-subunit protein and immunohistochemical staining for this subunit increased. Therefore, inductions of the alpha 1-subunit of this enzyme are not always correlated with increases in levels of activity of Na+,K+-ATPase, and we propose that both enzymatic and immunochemical analyses are essential for evaluation of hormonal regulation of Na+,K+-ATPase in salivary gland and in other tissues.

Cladinose analogues of sixteen-membered macrolide antibiotics. I. Synthesis of 4-O-alkyl-L-cladinose analogues via glycosylation

The synthesis and biological evaluation of sixteen-membered macrolides possessing a 4-O-alkyl-alpha-L-cladinosyl moiety as the neutral sugar are described. The nine novel derivatives have been synthesized by glycosylation with 1-thio sugars. The most active derivative of them showed prolonged antibacterial activity in rat plasma in vitro and improved pharmacokinetics.

Effects of phorbol ester on expression of CNTF-mRNA in cultured astrocytes from rat olfactory bulb

Ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) is a neuropoietic cytokine which has various functions, such as survival promoting effect on both peripheral and central neurons, promotion of cholinergic differentiation, and participation in differentiation of Type-2 astrocytes (reviewed in ref. [30]). However, the regulatory mechanism of the CNTF expression is largely unknown. In this study, we analyzed the effects of phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), an activator of PKC, on the expression of CNTF-mRNA in cultured astrocytes from neonatal rat olfactory bulb. PMA induced a transient decrease of CNTF-mRNA levels which was followed by a persistent increase of the mRNA up to 4-fold of the control level at 24 h after the addition of the compound. Both the PMA-induced decrease and increase of the CNTF-mRNA levels were canceled by treatment with cycloheximide, an inhibitor of protein synthesis, suggesting that protein synthesis-dependent mechanisms participate in both the PMA-induced decrease and increase of CNTF-mRNA levels. On the other hand, PMA induced expressions of mRNAs of several subunit members of the AP-1 complex, such as c-fos, c-jun and jun-B. Furthermore, dexamethasone, a synthetic glucocorticoid which is known to inhibit the AP-1 complex-mediated transcription [14,27,36], canceled the PMA-induced decrease of the CNTF-mRNA levels. These results suggested that the AP-1 complex participates in the regulatory mechanism of the CNTF expression in the cultured astrocytes treated with PMA.

Characteristics of phosphatidic acid-containing lipoproteins which selectively inhibit bitter taste: high affinity to frog tongue surface and hydrophobic model membranes

In previous studies (Katsuragi and Kurihara (1993) Nature 365,213--214; Katsuragi et al. (1995) Pharm. Res. 12,658--662) we showed that a lipoprotein composed of phosphatidic acid (PA) and beta-lactoglobulin (LG) selectively suppressed the taste responses to bitter substances without affecting those to other taste stimuli in the frog and man, while complexes composed of other lipids except for phosphatidylserine and LG had little inhibitory activity. In the present study, we found that the lipoproteins having inhibitory activity are adsorbed on the frog tongue surface, while those having no inhibitory activity are not adsorbed. We also examined adsorption of the lipoproteins on model lipid membranes coated on a quartz-crystal microbalance by measuring changes in its frequency. The lipoproteins having inhibitory activity were well adsorbed on the hydrophobic lipid membranes, while the lipoproteins having no inhibitory activity were little adsorbed on the membranes. It seems that receptor sites for bitter substances on the taste cell membranes are hydrophobic and those for other taste stimuli such as salts, acids and sugars are hydrophilic. Hence, the binding of PA-LG to hydrophobic sites of the receptor membranes will lead to selective inhibition of bitterness.

Lipoprotein that selectively inhibits taste nerve responses to bitter substances

The development of a specific inhibitor for bitter taste has been widely required in the fields of taste physiology and pharmaceutical sciences, but no inhibitor has been available. We found that lipoproteins, PA-LG composed of phosphatidic acid (PA) and beta-lactoglobulin (LG) and PA-LA composed of PA and alpha-lactalbumin (LA) reversibly suppressed the responses of the frog glossopharyngeal nerve to the bitter substances. The frog tongue was treated with PA-LG solution for 10 min and then stimulated by a stimulus dissolved in water. The responses to the bitter substances such as quinine hydrochloride, papaverine hydrochloride, caffeine and L-leucine were completely suppressed by PA-LG, while those to the salt type bitter substances such as CsCl, MgCl2 and tetraethylammonium chloride were not suppressed. The responses to NaCl, galactose, acetic acid and L-alanine were unchanged or only slightly increased. The results suggested that binding of PA-LG to the hydrophobic region of the receptor membranes leads to suppression of the responses to the bitter substances. It was pointed out that PA-LG is useful not only for elucidating the receptor mechanisms of bitter substances, but also can be safely used to mask the bitter taste of foods and drugs, since PA, LG and LA are prepared from foods (soybean and milk).

Experimental free-space optical network for massively parallel computers

A free-space optical interconnection scheme is described for massively parallel processors based on the interconnection-cached network architecture. The optical network operates in a circuit-switching mode. Combined with a packet-switching operation among the circuit-switched optical channels, a high-bandwidth, low-latency network for massively parallel processing results. The design and assembly of a 64-channel experimental prototype is discussed, and operational results are presented.

Odor discrimination of "IP3-" and "cAMP-increasing" odorants in the turtle olfactory bulb

The ability of the turtle olfactory system to discriminate between various odorants that increase levels of adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) and inositol trisphosphate (IP3) in the olfactory bulb was examined by the cross-adaptation technique and analyzed by multidimensional scaling. The mean values of the degree of discrimination among the IP3-increasing odorants were higher than those among the cAMP-increasing odorants, and were similar to those between cAMP- and IP3-increasing odorants, suggesting that the features of the receptors of cAMP-increasing odorants are different from those which respond to IP3-increasing odorants. Analysis by multidimensional scaling suggested that differences in second messenger pathways are not related to detecting odor quality in the turtle olfactory system.

Olfactory responses of a euryhaline fish, the rainbow trout: adaptation of olfactory receptors to sea water and salt-dependence of their responses to amino acids

Salmonid fishes are able to survive in both fresh water and sea water. Concentrations of NaCl in fresh water and sea water are 0.5 and 493 mmol l-1, respectively, and, hence, salt concentrations in the medium at the olfactory epithelium are greatly changed when the fish migrate between fresh water and sea water. We used the rainbow trout, which is a salmonid fish, to examine the adaptation mechanisms of the olfactory receptors to high concentrations of salts in sea water. Application of sea water to the olfactory epithelium elicited only a very small response in the olfactory nerve, but 500 mmol l-1 NaCl elicited a large response which did not adapt to a spontaneous level with time. It is considered that the olfactory nerve becomes fatigued when the olfactory epithelium is exposed to 500 mmol l-1 NaCl for long periods. We found that the presence of 10 mmol l-1 Ca2+ in sea water inhibited the response to 500 mmol l-1 NaCl, suggesting that Ca2+ in sea water is essential for adaptation of the olfactory receptors to sea water. In the second part of the study, we examined whether the olfactory nerve responses to amino acids, potent stimulants for fish, were altered between fresh water and sea water. The magnitudes of the responses to the six amino acids examined were similar in artificial pond water and artificial sea water, indicating that a large change in NaCl concentration between fresh and sea water does not affect the olfactory nerve responses to amino acids. We used fish reared in fresh water and fish acclimated to sea water and obtained similar results. It was concluded that the tolerance of the olfactory receptors for large changes in osmotic pressure is not acquired while fish are maintained in fresh or sea water, but that the receptors of these euryhaline fish naturally provide the tolerance.

Intracellular dialysis of cyclic nucleotides induces inward currents in turtle vomeronasal receptor neurons

Turtle vomeronasal receptor neurons in slice preparations were studied using the patch-clamp technique in the whole-cell and cell-attached configurations. The mean resting potential was -48, and the response to an injected current step consisted of either a single spike or a train of spikes. An injected current of 3-30 pA was required to depolarize the neuron to spike threshold near -50 mV. Voltage-clamped vomeronasal receptor neurons displayed transient inward currents followed by sustained outward currents in response to depolarizing voltage steps. In cell-attached recordings, 10 microM forskolin added to the bath caused a transient increase of spike rate. Intracellular application of cAMP evoked ann inward current in a dose-dependent manner from the neurons voltage clamped at -70 mV; 0.1 mM cAMP was sufficient to elicit an inward current in the neurons. The magnitude of the response to cAMP reached a plateau at 1 mM with an average peak amplitude of 176 +/- 34 pA. Intracellular application of 1 mM cGMP also evoked an inward current with an average peak amplitude of 227 +/- 61 pA. The reversal potentials of the induced components were estimated to be 10 +/- 7 mV for cAMP and -4 +/- 16 mV for cGMP. The reversal potential of the cAMP-induced current in external Cl(-)-free solution was similar to that in normal Ringer's solution, suggesting that Cl- current is not significantly involved in the current. The present results represent the first evidence of cyclic nucleotide-activated conductance in the vomeronasal receptor membranes.

ATP- and EGF-stimulated phosphatidulinositol synthesis by two different pathways, phospholipase D and diacylglycerol kinase, in A-431 epidermoid carcinoma cells

The [(3)H]inositol incorporation into the membrane fraction of A-431 human epidermoid carcinoma cells was markedly increased by stimulation of the cells with either epidermal growth factor (EGF), ATP, bradykinin, or a calcium ionophore A23187 in the presence of 1 mM extracellular calcium ions; most incorporated [(3)H]inositol was found to have accumulated as phosphatidylinositol (PI). The EGF- and ATP-stimulated PI synthesis was inhibited by two protein kinase C inhibitors, staurosporine and 1-(5-isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-methylpiperazine dihydrochloride (H-7), and an intracellular calcium chelator, 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid acetoxymethyl ester (BAPTA/AM), but not by the calmodulin antagonist N-(6-aminohexyl)-5-chloro-1-naphthalenesulfonamide hydrochloride (W-7). Pretreatment of cells with pertussis toxin (IAP, islet-activating protein) inhibited the PI synthesis, [Ca(2+)]i elevation, and inositol trisphosphate (IP(3)) production by ATP, suggesting that the phospholipase C(PLC) system coupled with IAP-sensitive G protein is involved in the ATP-stimulated PI synthesis. On the other hand, the ATP stimulation increased the release of [(3)H]choline and [(32)P)phosphatidic acid (PA) from radiolabeled cells, and such release was not inhibited by IAP. In the presence of n-butyl alcohol, which prevents the production of PA by generation of phosphatidylbutanol, the ATP-stimulated PI synthesis was reduced. Because n-butyl alcohol did not inhibit IP(3) production and [Ca(2+)]i elevation, this fact suggests that the lAP-insensitive PLD system is involved in the ATP-stimulated PI synthesis. In A-431 cells, the stimulation of P(2)-purinergic receptors appears to activate the IAP-sensitive PLC system and IAP-insensitive PLD system, both of which are essential for the stimulation of PI synthesis. The present results imply the general prospect that ligand stimulation, which mobilizes second messengers and consumes their precursors, simultaneously provokes the pathway to synthesize and salvage the second messenger precursors as well.

Identification of novel guanylyl cyclases from chemosensory tissues of rat and cattle

A number of studies have shown that cGMP may play some roles in chemosensory transduction. To identify the structure of guanylyl cyclase in chemosensory tissues, cDNA fragments encoding guanylyl cyclase catalytic domain were amplified from rat and bovine olfactory and tongue epithelium using degenerate oligonucleotide primers and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Three novel clones, two membrane type guanylyl cyclases (RAT GC-1, BOV GC-3) and one soluble type guanylyl cyclase (RAT GC-2) were identified. RAT GC-1 was distributed over various rat tissues in addition to these chemosensory organs. BOV GC-3 was similar to but distinct from recent cloned olfactory-specific guanylyl cyclase. RAT GC-2 was identified as rat homologue of alpha 2 subunit of the soluble guanylyl cyclase.

Involvement of direct phosphorylation in the regulation of the rat parotid Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter

We identify a 175-kDa membrane phosphoprotein (pp175) in rat parotid acini whose properties correlate well with the Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter previously characterized functionally and biochemically in this tissue. pp175 was the only phosphoprotein immunoprecipitated by an anti-Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter antibody and the only membrane protein whose phosphorylation state was conspicuously altered after a brief (45-s) exposure of acini to the beta-adrenergic agonist isoproterenol. Phosphopeptide mapping provided evidence for three phosphorylation sites on pp175, only one of which was labeled in response to isoproterenol treatment. The half-maximal effect of isoproterenol on phosphorylation of pp175 (approximately 20 nM) was in excellent agreement with its previously demonstrated up-regulatory effect on cotransport activity. Increased phosphorylation of pp175 was also seen following acinar treatment with a permeant cAMP analogue and with forskolin, conditions that have likewise been shown to up-regulate the cotransporter. Combined with earlier results from our laboratory, these data provide strong evidence that the up-regulation of the cotransporter by these agents is due to direct phosphorylation mediated by protein kinase A. AlF(-)4 treatment, which results in an up-regulation of cotransport activity comparable with that observed with isoproterenol (approximately 6-fold), caused a similar increase in phosphorylation of pp175. However, hypertonic shrinkage and treatment with the protein phosphatase inhibitor calyculin A, which also up-regulate the cotransporter (approximately 3-fold and approximately 6-fold, respectively) caused no change in the phosphorylation level. Furthermore, although acinar treatment with the muscarinic agonist carbachol results in a dramatic up-regulation of cotransport activity and a concomitant phosphorylation of pp175, no phosphorylation of pp175 was seen with the Ca(2+)-mobilizing agent thapsigargin, which is able to fully mimic the up-regulatory effect of carbachol on transport activity. Taken together, these results indicate that direct phosphorylation is only one of the mechanisms involved in secretagogue-induced regulation of the rat parotid Na(+)-K(+)-2Cl- cotransporter.