Vasospastic angina pectoris associated with apical hypertrophic cardiomyopathy

As the chest symptoms and electrocardiographic changes of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are occasionally very similar to those of angina pectoris, there are some difficulties in the diagnosis and treatment of cases of ischemic heart disease associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy. Here we report a case of vasospastic angina pectoris associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy diagnosed by coronary spasm provocation test performed by intracoronary administration of acetylcholine. In the treatment of such cases, beta blockers, which have the effect of decreasing the oxygen demand of the heart and the potential to induce coronary spasm, must be administered carefully.

Azicemicins A and B, a new antimicrobial agent produced by Amycolatopsis. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, characterization and biological activities

A new structural class of the antibiotic, azicemicins A (1) and B (2) were isolated from the culture broth of the strain MJ126-NF4, which was closely related to Amycolatopsis sulphurea. They were purified by adsorption on Diaion HP-20, silica gel column chromatography and preparative TLC. The molecular formulas of 1 and 2 were determined to be C23H25O9N and C22H23O9N by HRFAB-MS, respectively. Azicemicins A and B have moderate growth inhibiting activity against Gram-positive bacteria and mycobacteria.

Belactins A and B, new serine carboxypeptidase inhibitors produced by Actinomycete. I. Taxonomy, production, isolation and biological activities

Belactins A and B, new inhibitors of serine carboxypeptidase were discovered in the fermentation broth of Saccharopolyspora sp. MK19-42F6. They were purified by ethyl acetate extraction, silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH20 chromatography, Capcellpak C18 SG120 reversed phase HPLC and centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC) following their inhibitory activity against carboxypeptidase Y (CP-Y). The inhibition constants (Ki) of belactins A and B against CP-Y are 0.14 and 0.27 microM respectively. Belactins A and B have highly specific inhibitory activities for CP-Y among various peptidases, have no antimicrobial activities at 100 micrograms/ml and have low toxicities.

[Influence of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) on renal function assessed by 99mTc-DMSA scintigraphy: comparative analysis between ESWL and percutaneous nephroureterolithotripsy (PNL)]

99mTc-DMSA renal scintigraphy was utilized to investigate the influence of ESWL on renal function in comparison with that of PNL. In the beginning, the reproducibility of renal uptake rate by the scintigraphy was examined in eleven healthy volunteers under both non-diuretic and diuretic states. The renal uptake rate was shown to be sufficiently reproducible in the same person in the two different trials. However, the differences and the standard deviations were shown to be a few percentages, which were not statistically significant. Changes in the repeated renal uptake rate seem to indicate not only changes of renal function with the treatment but also some technical errors. Herein, to investigate changes in renal function of the therapeutic side, the uptake ratio rate (rate of uptake rate in the therapeutic side/uptake rate in the contral lateral side) was utilized instead of uptake rate. Renal scintigraphy was carried out in 48 patients with unilateral renal stones before and after ESWL or PNL monotherapy or the combined ESWL and PNL therapies. Within one week of treatment, the uptake ratio rate significantly decreased in patients with PNL or the combined ESWL and PNL, although DMSA uptake rate in the therapeutic side did not significantly changes. Neither renal uptake rate nor uptake ratio rate significantly changed after ESWL treatment. There was no significant difference in changes of uptake ratio rate between Siemens Lithostars Plus and the improved Dornier HM-3 lithotriptors. This study indicated that ESWL monotherapy did not affect the uptake ratio rate, although PNL monotherapy and the combined ESWL and PNL therapies may affect the uptake ratio rate to some extent.

[Effect of mesalazine, an agent for the treatment of idiopathic inflammatory bowel disease, on reactive oxygen metabolites and LTB4 formation]

Mesalazine microgranules (Pentasa) were developed as a drug for idiopathic inflammatory bowel diseases such as ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease. In this study, we examined the effect of mesalazine on radical scavenging, lipid peroxidation and the formation of LTB4. Mesalazine reduced the free radical 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl with an IC50 value of 9.5 microM. It scavenged hydrogen peroxide and hypochlorite (IC50: 0.7 microM and 37.0 microM, respectively), but had no effect on superoxide. Lipid peroxidation in rat liver microsomes was inhibited by mesalazine (IC50: 12.6 microM). Mesalazine significantly inhibited (P < 0.01) gastric mucosal lipid peroxidation induced by ischemia and reperfusion in rats at a dose of 50 mg/kg, p.o. Mesalazine also inhibited the formation of LTB4 in rat peritoneal neutrophils (IC50: 44.9 microM). N-Acetyl-mesalazine, the metabolite of mesalazine, had no effect on radical scavenging and lipid peroxidation. Only a high concentration (1 mM) of the metabolite inhibited the formation of LTB4. These studies suggest that mesalazine inhibits cell injury in the inflamed mucosa by scavenging reactive oxygen metabolites and prevents the invasion of neutrophils by inhibition of LTB4 formation.

Longitudinal changes in symptoms and plasma homovanillic acid levels in chronically medicated schizophrenic patients

A correlation has been noted between the changes in plasma homovanillic acid concentrations and changes in psychiatric symptoms induced by neuroleptic treatment. Our objective was to determine whether plasma homovanillic acid concentration changed in accordance with the changes in symptoms over time. Twenty-eight chronically medicated schizophrenic inpatients received the same treatment regimen for 1 year. Symptoms and plasma homovanillic acid concentrations were examined every month and whenever conditions deteriorated. Plasma homovanillic acid concentrations were significantly higher in the patients in the worst condition than in the patients in the best condition. Further, when comparing the best and worst conditions of both the positive and negative symptoms, the change in psychiatric rating of positive and negative symptoms was correlated significantly with the change in plasma homovanillic acid level. These results suggest that a change in plasma homovanillic acid concentration can be produced not only by neuroleptic-induced dopaminergic blocking but also by a change in positive and negative symptoms of schizophrenia.

Aldecalmycin, a new antimicrobial antibiotic from Streptomyces. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical and biological properties

A new antibiotic, aldecalmycin, has been discovered in the culture broth of Streptomyces sp. MJ147-72F6. Aldecalmycin was purified by solvent extraction, Diaion HP-20 chromatography, silica gel chromatography, Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, HPLC and centrifugal partition chromatography. The 1H and 13C NMR spectra of aldecalmycin showed the presence of keto-enol tautomers. Aldecalmycin is equipotent in inhibiting the growth of sensitive and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).

The first open study of zonisamide, a novel anticonvulsant, shows efficacy in mania

1. Zonisamide, an anticonvulsant developed in Japan, is structurally similar to serotonin. Zonisamide has been proven to have a pharmacological profile that is very similar to that of carbamazepine. Thus, the effect of zonisamide was examined in 24 psychiatric patients: 15 with bipolar manic state, 6 with schizoaffective manic state, and 3 schizophrenic excitement. 2. Approximately 25% of all the patients and 33% of the bipolar manic patients showed remarkable global improvement with the addition of zonisamide. Approximately 71% of all the patients and 80% of the bipolar group had more than moderate global improvement. 3. No serious adverse reactions were found and no patients required zonisamide withdrawal. One patient developed both leukocytosis and mildly abnormal liver function test. One developed leukocytosis and another reported mild sleepiness. These reactions disappeared when zonisamide was discontinued.

Novel antibiotics, amythiamicins. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties, and antimicrobial activity

Novel antibacterial antibiotics, amythiamicins A, B, C and D, have been isolated from the fermentation broth of Amycolatopsis sp. MI481-42F4. In this paper, the taxonomy of the producing strain, fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities of amythiamicins are reported. Amythiamicins inhibit the growth of Gram-positive bacteria including multi-drug resistant strains.

Sudden hearing loss associated with interferon

With the increasing long-term use of interferon, several new adverse effects have been recognised. We have prospectively assessed auditory function in 49 patients receiving interferon, after we saw a case of sudden sensorineural hearing loss during interferon therapy. Auditory disability (tinnitus, hearing loss, or both) occurred in 22 patients (45%) during treatment with audiometry-documented sensorineural hearing loss in 18 (37%). The auditory disability often developed in the late stage of treatment and resolved in all patients within 7-14 days after discontinuation of interferon.

Cytostatin, a novel inhibitor of cell adhesion to components of extracellular matrix produced by Streptomyces sp. MJ654-NF4. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activities

Cytostatin has been identified as a novel inhibitor of cell adhesion to components of extracellular matrix (ECM) in cultured broth of Streptomyces sp. MJ654-NF4. Though cytostatin did not inhibit EL-4 cell adhesion to ECM components such as laminin and fibronectin; it inhibited the adhesion of B16 melanoma cells to laminin and collagen type IV but not to fibronectin. It exhibited antimetastatic activity on B16 melanoma cells in mice. The cytotoxicity of cytostatin are also reported.

Incidence of second primary cancers in Osaka residents, Japan, with special reference to cumulative and relative risks

This study was conducted to examine the incidence rates and cumulative risks of second primary cancers in Osaka and to compare the observed number of second primary cancers with the expected number calculated using cancer incidence rates among Osaka residents. Study subjects were all reported cases aged 0-79 who were first diagnosed as having a first primary cancer between 1966-86. Incidence of second primary cancer among the study subjects was examined through to the end of 1989. The total number of study subjects was 217,307. During the follow-up period (mean duration: 3.7 years), second primary cancers developed in 5,071 patients (2.3%). Incidence of synchronous (interval < 3 months) and metachronous (interval > or = 3 months) second primary cancers increased in the later years. Incidence rates of second primary cancers were significantly associated with gender (male), age and calendar year at diagnosis of the first cancer. Based on the incidence rates, cumulative risk of developing metachronous second primary cancer was calculated. The ten-year cumulative risk was estimated as 10% for those who developed their first cancer during their sixties in 1978-83. The observed number of second primary cancers (including synchronous) was compared with the expected number. The ratios of observed-to-expected numbers were generally lower than 1.0 among those who developed their first cancer in 1966-77, while these ratios were higher than 1.0 among those who developed their first cancer in 1978-86. The ratios were much higher than 1.0 among those who developed their first cancer in their childhood and youth. Patients who had developed cancer of the colon, larynx, lung, bladder, or breast (female) showed significantly higher risk of developing second primary cancer during the period 1-4 years after diagnosis of the first cancer.

Effects of krestin (PSK) on tumorigenesis induced by two-stage and complete chemical carcinogenesis

The effects of PSK on tumorigenesis in mouse skin were investigated either when mouse skins were initiated by benzo(a)pyrene and promoted by 12-O-tetradecanoyl-phorbol-13-acetate (Group I, two-stage carcinogenesis) or when both initiated and promoted by benzo(a)pyrene (Group II, complete carcinogenesis). Twelve mice in each group were fed chow with or without 0.4% PSK. This concentration of PSK was determined by calculation to give mice enough PSK to exert antitumorigenic activity without cytotoxicity. By the end of the experimental periods (26 weeks), two carcinoma-burdened mice in Group I without PSK were dead, but no carcinomas at all were identified in the mice fed with PSK, although considerable numbers of papillomas developed in both groups. In Group II, carcinomas started to evolve at the 15th week of the experiment regardless of PSK feeding. The number of carcinomas observed in the mice fed with PSK in Group II was statistically significantly lower than that in the mice fed without PSK. Histologically, mild inflammatory infiltrations were seen around the papillomas, and moderate to dense infiltrations, mainly composed of neutrophils, T lymphocytes, and macrophages, were observed in squamous cell carcinomas. There were apparently no significant differences in the number of the infiltrating cells around carcinomas in PSK (+) and PSK (-) groups in both early and fully developed lesions. However, considerable numbers of cells infiltrating into the nests were observed in the early lesions of elicited carcinomas in the mice fed with PSK, while such cells were rarely seen in carcinoma nests in the group without PSK at that stage.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Treatment of patients with staghorn calculi by means of extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL)]

Between August, 1987 and December, 1991, 84 patients with 87 staghorn calculi were treated mainly with extracorporeal shockwave lithotripsy (ESWL) using a Dornier HM-3 improved lithotriptor. Patients were 38 men (38 renal units, mean age 54.9 years) and 46 women (49 renal units, mean age 54.3 years). Staghorn calculi were divided into 2 types; 54 units of complete type (mean stone area 9.2 cm2) and 34 units of incomplete type (mean stone area 5.5 cm2). Patients with complete type were treated with 3.6 sessions and 7,779 shock waves on average and 31.6 days for hospitalization was required, while patients with incomplete type were treated with 2.4 sessions and 5,288 shock waves on average and 15.7 days for hospitalization was required. After treatment, the excellent rate was 47.2% for the complete type and 44.1% for the incomplete type. After the monotherapy of ESWL the excellent rate was 46.9% and after the combined therapy with percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PNL) and/or percutaneous nephrostomy (PCN) it was 43.5%. We considered that the ESWL monotherapy for staghorn calculi was not feasible in patients with a large stone volume, with severe hydrocalices, with cystine stones and with so-called "complex staghorn calculi".

Interleukin-1 beta augments release of norepinephrine, dopamine, and serotonin in the rat anterior hypothalamus

We investigated the effects of interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta), administered directly into the rat anterior hypothalamus (AHY), on monoamine release in the same region by using a brain microdialysis technique and an HPLC-electrochemical detection system. First, to study the local effects of IL-1 beta, we used a microdialysis probe equipped with a microinjection tube for administering IL-1 beta in the same region into which the probe had been inserted. IL-1 beta (1 ng) injected directly into the AHY elicited release of norepinephrine (NE), dopamine (DA), and 5-HT, as well as increases in their metabolites, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylglycol, 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid, 4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenylacetic acid, and 5-hydroxyindole-3-acetic acid, in the AHY. Vehicle alone exerted no effect on monoamine release. Although the elevated levels of NE and DA persisted for more than 6 hr after injection of IL-1 beta, the elevated levels of 5-HT were transient. Second, in order to investigate whether this effect of IL-1 beta is a direct action in the AHY, we performed in vitro experiments using hypothalamus slices. IL-1 beta (0.1 and 1 nM) increased the levels of each monoamine released from hypothalamic slices in a dose-dependent manner. These findings suggest that IL-1 beta acts directly on the hypothalamus to induce release of NE, DA, and 5-HT. Third, the roles of prostaglandins (PGs) in NE release in the AHY elicited by direct injection of IL-1 beta were examined.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Negative regulation of mitosis by the fission yeast protein phosphatase ppa2

To understand the role of the type 2A-like protein phosphatase in the cell division cycle, we investigated the mutant phenotypes obtained when the fission yeast ppa1+ and ppa2+ phosphatase genes (which encode polypeptides with approximately 80% identity to mammalian type 2A phosphatases) were either deleted or overexpressed. We also investigated the in vivo effect of okadaic acid, an inhibitor of protein serine/threonine phosphatases, on cell division. We show that ppa2+ interacts genetically with the cell cell regulators cdc25+ and wee1+, as a ppa2 deletion is lethal when combined with wee1-50 but partially suppresses the conditional lethality of cdc25-22 mutation. Evidence that ppa2+ negatively controls the entry into mitosis, possibly through the regulation of cdc2 tyrosine phosphorylation, is presented. ppa2 phosphatase is abundant in the cytoplasm, in contrast to the type 1-like phosphatase dis2, which is enriched in the nucleus. Overproduced ppa1 or ppa2 proteins accumulate in the cytoplasm near the nuclear periphery, and cells arrest in interphase. Okadaic acid-treated cells, like a ppa2 deletion, are short in length and display protein hyperphosphorylation. Cytokinesis is also inhibited, producing binucleated cells. We show that ppa2 is the genetic locus controlling okadaic acid sensitivity. The ppa2 deletion reveals the same hyperphosphorylated proteins as okadaic acid. When a strain deleted for ppa2 is treated with okadaic acid, cell size is reduced further to that of wee1-50 mutant strain or overexpressing the cdc25+ gene product, suggesting functional relationship of ppa2 with the cdc25 tyrosine phosphatase and/or the wee1 kinase in cell cycle control.

Delaminomycins, novel nonpeptide extracellular matrix receptor antagonist and a new class of potent immunomodulator. I. Taxonomy, fermentation, isolation and biological activity

In order to develop a new class of immunomodulator we have searched for a low molecular weight inhibitors of cell adhesion to components of extracellular matrix (ECM), fibronectin (FN), laminin (LM) and collagen type IV (CL), and succeeded to find a group of novel antibiotics, named delaminomycins. Delaminomycins were isolated from the mycelium and cultured broth of Streptomyces albulus MJ202-72F3. It was purified by use of centrifugal partition chromatography (CPC), preparative reverse phase HPLC and Sephadex LH-20 and was obtained as a white powder. Delaminomycins with inhibitory activity for cell adhesion to ECM components suppressed immune responses in vitro and in vivo and exhibited antimicrobial activity on Gram-positive bacteria.

Neural network mapping for nonlinear stereotactic normalization of brain MR images

We present techniques of automatic nonlinear transformation of MR images (2D or 3D). A neural network automatically finds the corresponding parts between the subject's brain images and the standard images. By iterative operations, the network generates a set of image-shifting vectors to realize a plastic transformation. For precise matching, a set of markers can be placed manually before starting the transformation on landmarks of the images, e.g., on the anterior-posterior commissural line and on the central sulcus.

Isolation and characterization of the fission yeast protein phosphatase gene ppe1+ involved in cell shape control and mitosis

We isolated a fission yeast putative protein serine/threonine phosphatase gene designated ppe1+ by hybridization. The predicted amino acid sequence is similar to those of the fission yeast ppa2 (53% identity) and dis2 (39%) phosphatases, and highly similar to those of the budding yeast SIT4 (72%), Drosophila PPV (68%) and rabbit PPX (61%) phosphatases. Antibodies against ppe1 protein identified a 37-kd polypeptide in fission yeast. A gene disruption (designated delta ppe1) caused cold-sensitive lethality and short, pear-shaped cells. These phenotypes were fully suppressed by a plasmid carrying ppe1+. Three classes of multicopy suppressor genes for delta ppe1 were identified as follows: 1) ppa1+ and ppa2+ encoding type 2A-like phosphatases, 2) mitotically essential dis3+ similar to the budding yeast SSD1/SRK1, a suppressor for sit4, and 3) pck1+ coding for a protein kinase C-like kinase. Consistently, the budding yeast SIT4 gene was also a multicopy suppressor for delta ppe1. Phosphatase ppe1 may play a role in cell morphogenesis and mitosis by either regulating or being regulated by these multicopy suppressor gene products. Consistent with this hypothesis, double mutants ppe1-ppa2 and ppe1-pck1 are lethal at the permissive temperature.

Mitotic regulation of protein phosphatases by the fission yeast sds22 protein

BACKGROUND

Cell cycle progression requires the activity of protein kinases and phosphatases at critical points in the cell cycle in all eukaryotes. We have previously reported that the dis2(+) and sds2(+) genes of fission yeast encode redundant catalytic subunits of a type 1-like protein phosphatase. The sds22(+) gene was shown to be essential for cell viability and to interact genetically with dis2(+) and sds21(+).

RESULTS

Here we show by immunoprecipitation that the sds22 protein physically interacts with the dis2 and sds21 proteins, and that sds22-associated phosphatase activity has altered substrate specificity, The loss of sds22 function by a temperature sensitive mutation leads to cell cycle arrest at mid-mitosis, at which point cdc2-dependent histone Hl kinase activity is high while sds22-dependent H1 phosphatase activity is low. To examine the unusual properties of sds22 protein structure, we analyzed a collection of sds22 deletion and point mutants by a variety of functional criteria.

CONCLUSION

We propose that sds22 is a regulatory subunit of the dis2/sds21 phosphatase catalytic subunits and that sds22-bound phosphatase carries a key phosphatase activity essential for the progression from metaphase to anaphase. Mutational analysis indicates that dis2/sds21 interacts with the central repetitive domain of sds22, while the C-terminal and central regions of sds22 may be involved in subcellular targeting and the N-terminus is important for stability.

Dethymicin, a novel immunosuppressant isolated from an Amycolatopsis. Fermentation, isolation, physico-chemical properties and biological activities

In the course of screening for immunomodulators inhibiting the mixed lymphocyte culture reaction (MLCR), we found a novel immunosuppressant, dethymicin in mycelium of Amycolatopsis mediterranei MI710-51F6. From physico-chemical properties and biological activity it is different from immunosuppressants produced by microorganisms such as cyclosporins, FK506 and rapamycin. It inhibited immune responses in vitro and in vivo, and prolonged skin allograft in rats.

In vivo detection by microscopic chromocystoscopy of concurrent urothelial atypia in superficial bladder cancer

Microendoscopic observation of methylene blue-stained urothelial surfaces, so-called microscopic chromocystoscopy (MCC), was undertaken in 65 patients with superficial bladder cancer (Ta and T1) and its effectiveness in detecting concurrent urothelial dysplasia or carcinoma in situ was studied. A total of 166 biopsy samples were taken from 75 stained and 91 non-stained portions. Of 75 methylene blue-stained areas, 21 were judged to be abnormal (MCC-positive) by microscopic observation. Fourteen of these 21 MCC-positive areas (67%) were proven to be abnormal histologically, while 7 of 54 MCC-negative portions (13%) were histologically abnormal. Only 4 of 91 biopsies (4%) from non-stained mucosa were proven to have urothelial atypia. In per patient figures, 1 or more concurrent field changes were detected in 15 of 65 cases (23%). MCC contributed to the diagnosis in 10 of these 15 patients.

[Platelet accumulation in abdominal aortic aneurysms and the effect of antiplatelet drugs: assessment by indium platelet scintigraphy]

A dual tracer technique using 111In labeled platelets and 99mTc labeled human serum albumin was applied to evaluate the in vivo thrombogenicity in 12 cases with abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) and the effect of antiplatelet drug on the thrombogenicity. The magnitude of platelet accumulation at AAA was expressed as the ratio of radioactivity of 111In platelets on the vascular wall to those in the blood pool (PAI; platelet accumulation index). Of the 12 patients with AAA, 11 had positive studies on baseline imaging and 1 had equivocally positive image. The PAI value (Mean +/- SD) over the AAA was 53.8 +/- 34.1% as compared to -8.6 +/- 4.4% in the control group (p less than 0.01). Seven patients with an AAA and positive baseline images were restudied during platelet active drug with 325 mg of aspirin. During treatment with aspirin, of 7 patients, 5 had positive images, of which 3 were decreased and others unchanged compared to baseline studies, 1 equivocally positive one and one negative one. The PAI value during treatment (21.9 +/- 18.6%) was significantly decreased compared to those in baseline study (52.1 +/- 23.9%). Our results suggest that the method used for platelet imaging in the present study may be useful for studying the in vivo thrombogenicity and the effect of platelet active drugs in AAA.

Nortriptyline response in elderly depressed patients

1. Depressed geriatric patients were treated with nortriptyline (NT) for 6 weeks. The authors measured serum levels of NT and 10-hydroxynortriptyline (10-OH-NT) using a column-switching HPLC method, and examined aging effects on NT steady-state levels to NT doses (doses/kg) ratios and NT levels to 10-OH-NT levels ratios as well as clinical response and propensity for side effects. 2. There was no significant relationship between the ages and the NT serum levels to NT doses (doses/kg) ratios, the ages and the 10-OH-NT levels to NT levels ratios, or the ages and the clinical response or the %improvement of Hamilton Scores. 3. Then the authors divided the subjects into two groups: a younger group and an elderly group with the cut off age of 60. The elderly group received significantly smaller doses of NT and had significantly lower serum levels of NT. The elderly group had tendency to have lower serum levels of 10-OH-NT. However, no significant difference was found in the improvement scores or the %improvement of depression. The elderly patients did not have higher propensity for unnegligible side effects.

["Dismembered spiral flap pyeloplasty" for uretero-pelvic junction obstruction]

We report a new operative technique for plastic correction of uretero-pelvic junction (UPJ) obstruction: dismembered spiral flap pyeloplasty. It is similar to the method described by Culp & DeWeerd in that a flap is made spirally but different in that UPJ is detached. Relatively a long and wide spiral (oblique) flap, the apex of which directs cranioventrally or craniodorsally, is made using the dilated pelvis. The apex of the flap is reflected downward and anastomosed to the split ureteral end. Because the flap is made obliquely, one side of the flap base is approximated to the opposite pelvic margin; this helps to make gradual funnelling of pelvio-ureteric transition. The method seems to be fit for cases with considerably long stenosis of UPJ and with the UPJ locating relatively close to the medial margin of the renal parenchyma. Seven of 26 pyeloplasties were done by this method in our institute, and all the 7 cases had satisfactory results.

Immunohistochemical characterization of cellular infiltrates in epidermal tumors induced by two-stage and complete chemical carcinogenesis in mouse skin

We investigated the population and pattern of the infiltrated cells in both benign and malignant epidermal tumors which were induced chemically with benzo(a)pyrene (B(a)P) in murine skin. In benign papillomas, which were evolved by a two stage carcinogenesis regimen, a slight to mild inflammatory infiltration around the tumors was observed, and cells infiltrating into the tumor nests were rarely seen. In carcinomas, which were produced by a complete carcinogenesis regimen, a dense inflammatory infiltration was observed around the tumor nests. The infiltrated cells were characterized as T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and neutrophils. Natural killer (NK) cells were found around and in the tumor nests, but their number was small. Both T-lymphocytes and macrophages were found to invade the tumor nests in squamous cell carcinoma whose duration was more than four weeks. This experimental carcinogenesis animal model allows the detailed quantitative and functional analysis of the infiltration of immunocompetent cells into epidermal tumors.

[Assessment of the rate of successful transcranial Doppler recording through the temporal windows in Japanese with special reference to aging and sex]

Transcranial Doppler method (TCD), newly developed in 1982, is ultrasound technology that measures physiologic parameters of blood flow in the major intracranial arteries. A major limitation of TCD is that, in some individuals, satisfactory recording is not possible, especially through the temporal windows. The purpose of the present study is to assess the rate of successful recording in TCD through the temporal ultrasonic windows in Japanese with special reference to aging and sex. In 423 Japanese (244 males and 179 females) aged from 25 to 93 years, measurement of blood flow velocity in basal cerebral arteries was performed by transcranial Doppler velocimeter with a 2 MHz pulsed wave Doppler probe. The signal was successfully recorded in 299 of 423 Japanese (71%). In Japanese males, successful measurement was more frequent (206/244; 84%) than in Japanese females (93/179; 52%). The rate of successful recording was evaluated in every decade from the twenties to the eighties, and it was found to decrease significantly according to age (100%, 94%, 91%, 74%, 66%, 67%, and 46%, respectively). In females, it significantly decreased in those older than 50 years old (100%, 100%, 93%, 61%, 36% 43%, and 27%, respectively), but not in males (100%, 88%, 89%, 81%, 88%, 83%, and 69%, respectively). These findings suggest that this noninvasive method has clinical usefulness for evaluating intracranial circulation but has limitation for assessing the intracranial lesions of elderly Japanese women.

Elevation of immunoreactive serum Mn-superoxide dismutase in patients with acute myocardial infarction

Serum Mn-superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) levels were determined in patients with acute myocardial infarction by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serial determinations performed on 29 patients with acute myocardial infarction indicated that Mn-SOD appears in serum in a biphasic manner; an early small elevation was observed at approximately 16.2 (+/- 7.3) h and a high elevation at approximately 108 (+/- 20.6) h after the onset of symptoms. A negative correlation was found between the maximum value of the late elevation of Mn-SOD and left ventricular function. Plasma levels of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) were also elevated in acute myocardial infarction. These facts suggest that TNF-alpha secretion from the infarcted area resulted in the production of Mn-SOD and that the induced Mn-SOD was released from myocytes into serum through damaged membranes, resulting in the late elevation.

The fission yeast dis3+ gene encodes a 110-kDa essential protein implicated in mitotic control

The fission yeast mutant dis3-54 is defective in mitosis and fails in chromosome disjunction. Its phenotype is similar to that of dis2-11, a mutant with a mutation in the type 1 protein phosphatase gene. We cloned the dis3+ gene by transformation. Nucleotide sequencing predicts a coding region of 970 amino acids interrupted by a 164-bp intron at the 65th codon. The predicted dis3+ protein shares a weak but significant similarity with the budding yeast SSD1 or SRK1 gene product, the gene for which is a suppressor for the absence of a protein phosphatase SIT4 gene or the BCY1 regulatory subunit of cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase. Anti-dis3 antibodies recognized the 110-kDa dis3+ gene product, which is part of a 250- to 350-kDa oligomer and is enriched in the nucleus. The cellular localization of the dis3+ protein is reminiscent of that of the dis2+ protein, but these two proteins do not form a complex. A type 1 protein phosphatase activity in the dis3-54 mutant extracts is apparently not affected. The dis3+ gene is essential for growth; gene disruptant cells do not germinate and fail in cell division. Increased dis3+ gene dosage reverses the Ts+ phenotype of a cdc25 wee1 strain, as does increased type 1 protein phosphatase gene dosage. Double mutant dis3 dis2 is lethal even at the permissive temperature, suggesting that the dis2+ and dis3+ genes may be functionally overlapped. The role of the dis3+ gene product in mitosis is unknown, but this gene product may be directly or indirectly involved in the regulation of mitosis.

Glycosylation at the Fab portion of myeloma immunoglobulin G and increased fucosylated biantennary sugar chains: structural analysis by high-performance liquid chromatography and antibody-lectin enzyme immunoassay using Lens culinaris agglutinin

An antibody-lectin enzyme immunoassay technique which had been developed for the analysis of sugar chains of alpha-fetoprotein (N. Kinoshita et al., Clin. Chim. Acta, 179: 143-152, 1989) was used for analysis of sugar chains of myeloma immunoglobulin G (IgG). The IgG sugar chains of four of nine patients with myeloma were found to be highly reactive to Lens culinaris agglutinin as compared with those of six normal controls and 177 patients without myeloma. This reflected a high L. culinaris agglutinin/concanavalin A ratio. The IgGs of these patients were found to have highly sialylated, fucosylated, and bisected biantennary sugar chains at Fab portions as judged by the lectin-blotting technique as well as by high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. These results indicate that some of the myeloma IgG proteins undergo unusual glycosylation processes.

[Epidemiologic study on urolithiasis in Mie prefecture. 2. Present status in 1988]

To determine the current status of urolithiasis in 1988, in comparison with that in 1985, we analyzed the 1937 patients of urolithiasis at 17 departments of urology in Mie Prefecture and 2 departments of urology in Wakayama Prefecture. The ratio of male to female patients was 2.6 to 1.0. Geographically, the number of urolithiasis patients was most frequently distributed in Matsusaka City. The frequency of urolithiasis in the urban area was almost the same as that in the rural area. Most of the stones (96.3%) were in the upper urinary tract. The frequency of lower urinary tract calculi tended to be high in southern Mie Prefecture. The ratio of the upper urinary tract calculi to the lower urinary tract calculi in the urban area was higher than in the rural area. The age distribution in males was in the forties, while that in females was in the fifties. The average age was 46.4 years old. The surgical treatment was performed in 671 patients (34.6%) and the extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy (ESWL) was the most frequent mode of treatment (85.0%), followed by cysto-lithotripsy (4.2%) and percutaneous nephro-uretero-lithotripsy (2.4%). The most frequent component of the urinary tract calculi was calcium oxalate and/or calcium phosphate (81.7%). The stone patient increased in the number during the summer season (July, August and September). In conclusion, in 1988 when the ESWL treatment started in Mie Prefecture, the epidemiologic features of urolithiasis was characterized as follows: the number of patients increased and the broad application of the ESWL treatment resulted in the decreased number of patients with spontaneous discharge and the increased number of patients with recurrent stones and with bilateral or multiple complex stones.

Serum interleukin-6 in schizophrenic patients

We examined serum interleukin-6 (IL-6) in 90 schizophrenic patients in remission and 90 normal controls using enzyme-linked immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA). We found a significant difference in variation between the schizophrenic and the control groups (F = 10.9, P less than .002). The difference in distribution was also statistically significant by Kolmogorov-Smirnov (chi-square = 45.0, P less than .001). Eight patients had aberrantly high serum levels of interleukin-6. Since the higher levels of IL-6 are characteristically found in several autoimmune disorders, our finding suggests a link between schizophrenia and immune response, which could be either autoimmune or a process induced by reactivation of viruses.

Double fluorescent labeling method used for a study on liposomes

Carboxyfluorescein (CF) and Calcein (CAL) have almost the same fluorescent spectrum. However, only CAL forms a nonfluorescent chelate with the Co2+ ion. It was proven that this phenomenon can be used for the fractional determination of CF and CAL. And this fractional determination method was available for a study on liposomes.

Distinct, essential roles of type 1 and 2A protein phosphatases in the control of the fission yeast cell division cycle

The activities of type 1 protein phosphatase (PP1) and 2A (PP2A) have distinct, essential roles in cell cycle control. Two previously identified PP1 genes (dis2+ and sds21+) and two PP2A genes (ppa1+ and ppa2+), highly homologous to mammalian PP2A, have been isolated from fission yeast. Only double gene disruption of both PP2A genes results in lethality, as is the case for PP1 genes. By fractionating and assaying PPases in wild-type, various deletion, and point mutant strains, the decrease of PP1 or PP2A activity is shown to cause mitotic defects, exhibiting strikingly different cell cycle phenotypes: cold-sensitive mutations in the same amino acid lesion of PP1 and PP2A produce chromosome nondisjunction and premature mitosis, respectively. Consistently, PP1 and PP2A genes cannot be functionally substituted. Although the overall levels of PP1 and PP2A activities do not fluctuate during the cell cycle, subpopulations might be regulated.