Fourier transform infrared spectra and molecular structure of 5-methoxytryptamine, N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine and N-phenylsulfonamide-5-methoxytryptamine

5-Methoxytryptamine (5-MT) is a potent antioxidant and has radioprotective action. N-acetyl-5-methoxytryptamine (melatonin, NA-5-MT) is a free radical scavenger and antioxidant, which protects against oxidative damage due to a variety of toxicants. The infrared spectra of 5-MT, NA-5-MT and new synthesized N-phenylsulfonamide-5-methoxytryptamine (PS-5-MT) were investigated in the region between 4000 and 400 cm(-1). Vibrational assignments of the molecules have been made for fundamental modes on the basis of the group vibrational concept, infrared intensity and comparison with the assignments for related molecules. X-ray powder diffraction patterns of molecules were also recorded. In order to optimize the geometries of the molecules, molecular mechanic calculations (MM3) were performed. Conformational analysis of 5-MT, NA-5-MT and PS-5-MT was also established by the using PM3 method.

Cryofixation processing is an excellent method to improve the retention of adrenomedullin antigenicity

We reappraised the precise immunohistochemical localization of adrenomedullin (AM) by means of the combined use of the catalyzed signal amplification (CSA) system and plunge freezing (PF)/freeze substitution (FS) for light microscopy or high-pressure freezing (HPF)/FS for electron microscopy, focusing on the rat adrenal gland and heart. In the case of adrenal glands, the PF processing showed that almost all medullary cells were intensively immunoreactive, while the cortical cells showed weak immunoreaction. In the heart, almost all cardiac muscle cells of the atria were also vividly stained with the PF/FS and the CSA enhancement. On the contrary, traces of immunoreactions were seen in most of the ventricular cells. These results are consistent with the previous reports of AM radioimmunoassays and the expression of AM mRNA. However, the chemical fixation processing revealed heterogeneous immunostaining in the atrial and ventricular myocardium as well as the adrenal medulla. Intensity of the immunostaining in the chemically fixed tissues was not likely to correspond with that of AM radioimmunoassays. The HPF/FS processing clearly demonstrated the immunogold labeling on secretory granules of adrenal medullary cells as well as cardiac muscle cells of the right auricles. Immunogold labeling intensity of the cryofixed specimens was 3- to 25-fold higher than that of the chemically fixed ones.

Evolution of lower-hybrid-driven current during the formation of an internal transport barrier

Evolution of the lower-hybrid(LH)-driven current profile was measured during the formation of an internal transport barrier (ITB) in a reversed magnetic shear discharge. As the ITB developed, the initially centrally peaked LH-driven current profile gradually turned hollow and was sometimes accompanied by an off-axis peak in the electron temperature profile. These observations indicate the concentration of LH power deposition to the ITB for this case as a result of nonlinear coupling between the LH waves and the target plasma.

Plasma equilibrium and confinement in a tokamak with nearly zero central current density in JT-60U

A high confinement equilibrium with nearly zero toroidal current in the central region (a "current hole") has been observed for the first time to persist stably for several seconds in the JT-60U tokamak. This observation indicates the possibility of stable tokamak operation without central toroidal current; the central current has previously been believed to be necessary in tokamaks. The radius of the current hole extended up to 40% of the plasma minor radius. It was observed that the current hole was formed by the increase of the off-axis noninductive current.

[Bis(diphenylphosphino)methane][1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane]platinum(II) dibromide

The asymmetric unit of the title compound, [Pt(C(25)H(22)P(2))(C(27)H(26)P(2))]Br(2) or [Pt(dppm)(dppp)]Br(2), where dppm is bis(diphenylphosphino)methane and dppp is 1,3-bis(diphenylphosphino)propane, consists of a discrete [Pt(dppm)(dppp)](2+) cation and two Br(-) anions at van der Waals distances. This is the first reported platinum(II) complex containing both dppm and dppp ligands. Noticeable features are that the coordination of platinum by the differing dppm and dppp ligands produces a distorted coordination geometry with differing ligand bite angles (and to a lesser extent bond distances), and that the strain induced by the formation of the four-membered dppm chelate ring has a marked effect upon the bond angles at the P atoms of this ligand.

Depression among caregivers of elderly patients on chronic hemodialysis

The present study was conducted to investigate depression in caregivers of elderly hemodialysis patients. Caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire about various factors that may affect their depression, and also completed a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale evaluation (CESD). The frail elderly who received regular nurse visits were used as controls. Compared with the caregivers of controls, those of hemodialysis patients spent less time on caregiving and had more time to go out unaccompanied by their patients. Males were numerous among hemodialysis patients than in the controls. Compared with the controls, hemodialysis patients were less likely to be older old (80 years old and more), diagnosed as demented or severely limited in activities of daily living (ADL). On the other hand, we did not find any significant difference between the two groups with regard to either the prevalence of depression, the rate of those who experienced any life event such as to cause depression within 6 months (e.g., death of family member), duration of caregiving or time looking after patients. Caregivers of hemodialyis patients may feel a heavy burden because they are obliged to play an important role in supporting patients on dialysis. They seem to need more social support regardless of whether or not their patients suffer from dementia.

Quasisteady high-confinement reversed shear plasma with large bootstrap current fraction under full noninductive current drive condition in JT-60U

A quasisteady reversed shear plasma with a large bootstrap current fraction ( approximately 80%) has been obtained for the first time in the JT-60U tokamak. The shrinkage of reversed shear region was suppressed by the bootstrap current peaked at the internal transport barrier (ITB) layer and the ITBs at a large radius were sustained, which, by combination with an H-mode edge pedestal, resulted in a high confinement or 2.2 times the H-mode scaling for 6 times energy confinement time or 2.7 s. Furthermore, a full noninductive current drive was obtained by the bootstrap current and the beam driven current.

Treatment of ulcerative endobronchial tuberculosis and bronchial stenosis with aerosolized streptomycin and steroids

OBJECTIVES

Endobronchial tuberculosis (EBTB) is defined as a tuberculous infection of the tracheobronchial tree. It has been reported that aerosolized therapy with streptomycin and steroids is useful for EBTB; however, the effectiveness of this therapy for bronchial stenosis has yet to be clarified. This study was undertaken to determine the effectiveness of aerosol therapy in the treatment of bronchial stenosis due to EBTB.

DESIGN

An observational, historical, controlled comparative study. Retrospective analysis of 27 patients treated with conventional therapy, and prospective analysis of 30 patients treated with aerosol therapy.

METHOD AND PATIENTS

Flexible bronchoscopy was performed at least twice in 57 patients with ulcerative EBTB, in whom the degree of bronchial stenosis between the first and last bronchoscopic examinations was estimated. Bronchial stenosis was graded as minimal, mild, moderate, severe or obstructive, and the follow-up of bronchial stenosis assessed as aggravation, no change or improvement.

RESULTS

Conventional therapies led to aggravation in 13 patients, no change in 13 patients, and improvement in one patient. Aerosol therapy led to no change in 27 patients, and improvement in three patients. No patients developed aggravation. The differences between the therapeutic groups were significant.

CONCLUSION

Aerosol therapy helps to prevent progressively severe bronchial stenosis due to EBTB.

Fever and survival with drug-treated non-small cell lung cancer

Patients with non-small cell lung cancer who develop fever during anti-neoplastic chemotherapy are treated empirically, before the cause of fever has been determined. Little study has been made of episodes of infection during chemotherapy with respect to antineoplastic response, other adverse reactions, or survival time. In particular, the relationship between fever and long-term survival is not clear. The prognostic significance of febrile episodes was investigated in patients with non-small cell lung cancer receiving full-dose chemotherapy. Most were treated only with chemotherapy during the period of investigation, although some had concurrent or subsequent radiotherapy, and a few had surgery following chemotherapy. No significant difference was seen between febrile and afebrile patients regarding therapeutic modality. Patients with poor performance status (PS) had a higher incidence of febrile episodes (P < .001). Multivariate analysis, however, showed febrile episodes to be a major prognostic factor independent of PS on clinical stage. PS and stage affected short-term survival, while febrile episodes were related to decreased long-term survival (203 vs. 366 days; with deaths in the first 3 months excluded, 241 vs. 377 days). Although existing evidence is inconclusive, our study suggests that prevention of infection during antineoplastic treatment by administration of granulocyte stimulating factors and early initiation of antimicrobials might improve long-term survival.

Hydroxyapatite-pulp composite fiber sheet bed: A new material for the immobilization of CHO-K1 cells

A new immobilization material for cell culture, ahydroxyapatite-pulp composite fiber (HAPC) sheet bed, was usedto grow CHO-K1 cells. The sheet bed for cell culture wasprepared from HAPC fiber by paper-making techniques. Scanning electron microscopic analysis revealed that the HAPCsheet bed had a structure consisting of piled fibers with spaces 10-200 mum in diameter and a pore surface area of 0.32 m(2) g(-1). Using a 25 x 25 mm(2) squareHAPC sheet bed 0.41 mm in thickness (85 g m(-2) basis weight) for cell culture, CHO-K1 cells grew to a cell densityof 3.7 x 10(7) cells cm(-3) in a 60 mm plastic dish over a 6-day culture period. High-density culture of CHO-K1 cells was successfully performed using the HAPC sheet bed in a 500 ml spinner flask over a 21-day culture period. The HAPC sheet bed, wound around the stirrer paddle, was rotated in the spinner flask in order to supply nutrientsand remove waste products efficiently. The HAPC sheet bedhas a large surface area to support cell growth and there islarge diffusion space inside of the bed. This newautoclavable substrate for anchorage-dependent cells can be easily scaled-up.

A simple contrast enhancement by potassium permanganate oxidation for Lowicryl K4M ultrathin sections prepared by high pressure freezing/freeze substitution

A simple contrast enhancement method is presented for Lowicryl K4M ultrathin sections prepared by high pressure freezing/freeze substitution. The sections were treated with an acidified potassium permanganate oxidizing solution followed by uranyl acetate and lead citrate staining. The method, designated KMnO4-UA/Pb staining, provided a much greater contrast in electron microscopy than conventional UA/Pb staining. In detail, the visibility of plasma membrane was especially improved and the nuclear heterochromatin, mitochondria and cytoplasmic ribosomes showed an adequate increase in electron density. In the mucous cells of rat Brunner's glands, the Golgi cisternae were well defined with the KMnO4-UA/Pb staining. Interestingly, the membranes of the intermediate compartments were moderately reactive to the KMnO4-UA/Pb staining, whereas the cis and the trans compartments were only faintly stained. It should be emphasized that the KMnO4 oxidation following colloidal gold labelling did not cause a remarkable reduction of immunogold labelling and the enhanced contrast helped us to examine the gold particles with high accuracy. This contrast enhancement method is highly promising, with the potential to become a useful tool for histochemical investigation, including immunocytochemistry with the Lowicryl K4M ultrathin sections prepared by high pressure freezing/freeze substitution techniques.

Good's syndrome presenting with cytomegalovirus pneumonia

A 61-year-old woman who had undergone an operation for thymoma 17 years previously suddenly became dyspneic and showed bilateral pulmonary infiltrates on a chest radiograph. In the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid cells contained characteristic cytomegalic inclusion bodies, as well as cytomegalovirus DNA demonstrated by a polymerase chain reaction. Immunological findings included hypogammaglobulinemia, deficient numbers of circulating B cells, and impaired blast transformation of peripheral blood T cells in response to mitogens in vitro. Considering all of the findings, the patient was diagnosed with Good's syndrome presenting with cytomegalovirus pneumonia.

Depression among caregivers of the frail elderly in urban Japan

A cross-sectional study was conducted in order to investigate the various factors related to the depression in caregivers of the elderly in need of care in urban Japan. The caregivers answered a self-administered questionnaire about various factors that may affect their depression, and also completed a Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale evaluation (CES-D). Compared with non-depressed caregivers, depressed caregivers attended the elderly longer, while time spent for physical caregiving did not differ between the two groups. Even after controlling confounding factors, time of attending the elderly was an independent factor related to caregiver's depression.

Tuft cells in the main excretory duct of the rat submandibular gland

The fine structure of tuft cells in the main excretory duct of rat submandibular gland was investigated using the high pressure freezing and freeze substitution (HPF-FS) method and compared with that seen with both conventional chemical fixation (CF) method and en bloc treatment with ruthenium red. Some MEDs also were subjected to histochemistry for lectins. The apical vesicles and tubules of tuft cells observed by TEM after the HPF-FS method were different in shape from those treated by CF. With the first method, these vesicles and tubules, which may represent sections of a tubular system, appeared more slender and filled with a material of moderate density. A prominent glycocalyx covering the microvillar plasma membrane was observed in tuft cells processed both with the HPF-FS method and with ruthenium red. The surface of microvilli and the tubulo-vesicular structures of these cells exhibited the same soybean agglutinin (SBA) reactivity, suggesting a relationship between them.

Endomorphin-1 discriminates the mu-opioid receptor from the delta- and kappa-opioid receptors by recognizing the difference in multiple regions

Endomorphin-1 is a novel endogenous peptide that is highly selective for the mu-opioid receptor over the delta- and kappa-opioid receptors. The structural basis of high selectivity of endomorphin-1 to the mu-opioid receptor was examined using chimeric receptors between mu- and delta-opioid receptors and those between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors. The chimeric receptors were constructed by using restriction enzyme sites intrinsically possessed by or introduced to the mu-, delta- and kappa-opioid receptor cDNAs. The junctions for the construction were located at the first intracellular loop (Bbs I site), third transmembrane domain (Afl III site) and fifth transmembrane domain (Bgl II site). The competitive binding assay using chimeric receptors revealed that the region from the Bbs I site to the Afl III site, including the first extracellular loop, contributes to the discrimination between mu- and delta-opioid receptors by endomorphin-1 more than any other regions. However, the region from the Afl III site to the Bgl II site and that from the Bgl II site to the carboxy terminal also somewhat contribute to the discrimination between mu- and delta-opioid receptors. For the discrimination between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors, two regions, that is, the region from the Bbs I site to the Afl III site and that from the Bgl II site to the carboxy terminal, were shown to be important. The present results show that endomorphin-1 discriminates the mu-opioid receptor from the other two types of opioid receptors by recognizing the differences in several amino acid residues widely distributed through the receptor structure. We previously reported that DAMGO, a synthetic highly mu-selective peptide, discriminates between mu- and delta-opioid receptors by recognizing the difference in only one amino acid residue and discriminates between mu- and kappa-opioid receptors by recognizing the difference in four residues localized in the restricted region. Although both endomorphin-1 and DAMGO are mu-opioid receptor selective peptides, molecular mechanisms for mu-selectivity are different between these peptides.

Molecular structures of metal complexes with mefenamic acid

The infrared spectra of Na and Ca complexes of mefenamic acid were investigated in the region between 4000 and 400 cm(-1). These spectra were compared with X-ray powder diffraction patterns of complexes. It is shown that the proposed structure for these complexes obtained from the infrared spectra was supported by X-ray powder diffraction measurements. Bands due to v(as)(COO)- and v(s)(COO)- stretching vibrations appear at about 1580 cm(-1) and in the range 1390-1400 cm(-1) in the infrared spectra of the samples, respectively. The values of NH deformation vibrations do not change in the spectra of mefenamic acid and its metal complexes. On the other hand, molecular mechanic calculations and conformational analysis of three compounds were also established in the present work. As a result of these theoretical studies, the atomic planes and the peak assignments of the powder diffraction patterns were determined. As a result of these experimental and theoretical investigations, it may be concluded that metal atoms are connected to the carboxyl group of the mefenamic acid.