[Prevalence of myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) in patients with interstitial pneumonia]

Myeloperoxidase-anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody (MPO-ANCA) is an autoantibody that is frequently found in patients with vasculitides. We encountered some MPO-ANCA positive patients with interstitial pneumonia who lacked vasculitides, but its meaning remains unclear. We measured MPO-ANCA titers in 69 patients with interstitial pneumonia (IP) who did not have collagen vascular diseases and observed their outcome. MPO-ANCA was positive in 5 patients and its prevalence was 7.2%. Patients with MPO-ANCA positive showed higher positivity in rheumatoid factor (RF) than patients with MPO-ANCA negative. The sensitivity and specificity of a combination of anti-nuclear antibody-negative and RF-positive were 80.0% and 87.7%, respectively. Two patients were accompanied by microscopic polyangiitis and the 3-year survival rate was 40% in all patients with MPO-ANCA. Measurement of MPO-ANCA titers in patients with IPs is meaningful for determining therapeutic strategy.

Saliva-Promoted Adhesion of Streptococcus mutans MT8148 Associates with Dental Plaque and Caries Experience

Colonization of enamel surfaces by Streptococcus mutans is thought to be initiated by the attachment of bacteria to a saliva-derived conditioning film (acquired pellicle). However, the clinical relevance of the contribution of saliva-promoted S. mutans adhesion in biofilm formation has not yet been fully elucidated. The aim of this study was to correlate saliva-promoted S. mutans adhesion with biofilm formation in humans. We correlated all measurements of salivary factors and dental plaque formation in 70 healthy subjects. Dental plaque development after thorough professional teeth cleaning correlated positively with S. mutans adhesion onto saliva-coated hydroxyapatite pellets and the glycoprotein content of either parotid or whole saliva. Saliva-promoted S. mutans adhesion and glycoprotein content were also positively correlated with each other in parotid and whole saliva. By contrast, neither salivary mutans streptococci, Lactobacillus nor Candida correlated with biofilm formation. Parotid saliva-mediated S. mutans adhesion was significantly higher in 12 caries-experienced (CE) subjects than in 9 caries-inexperienced (CI) subjects. Salivary S. mutans adhesion was significantly less (p < 0.01) in the CI group than in the CE group. In conclusion, the present findings suggest the initial S. mutans adhesion, modulated by salivary protein adsorption onto the enamel surface, as a possible correlate of susceptibility to dental plaque and caries.

Expression of multiple forms of ferredoxin NADP+ oxidoreductase in wheat leaves

In higher plants there are two forms of ferredoxin NADP(+) oxidoreductase (FNR), a photosynthetic pFNR primarily required for the photoreduction of NADP(+), and a heterotrophic hFNR which generates reduced ferredoxin by utilizing electrons from NADPH produced during carbohydrate oxidation. The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of multiple forms of FNR in wheat leaves and the capacity of FNR isoforms to respond to changes in reductant demand through varied expression and N-terminal processing. Two forms of pFNR mRNA (pFNRI and pFNRII) were expressed in a similar pattern along the 12 cm developing primary wheat leaf, with the highest levels observed in plants grown continuously in the dark in the presence (pFNRI) or absence (pFNRII) of nitrate respectively. pFNR protein increased from the leaf base to tip. hFNR mRNA and protein was in the basal part of the leaf in plants grown in the presence of nitrate. FNR activity in plants grown in a light/dark cycle without nitrate was mainly due to pFNR, whilst hFNR contributed significantly in nitrate-fed plants. The potential role of distinct forms of FNR in meeting the changing metabolic capacity and reductant demands along the linear gradient of developing cells of the leaf are discussed. Furthermore, evidence for alternative N-terminal cleavage sites of pFNR acting as a means of discriminating between ferredoxins and the implications of this in providing a more effective flow of electrons through a particular pathway in vivo is considered.

Reduction of saliva-promoted adhesion of Streptococcus mutans MT8148 and dental biofilm development by tragacanth gum and yeast-derived phosphomannan

The aim of this study was to investigate materials which reduce saliva-promoted adhesion of Streptococcus mutans onto enamel surfaces, and their potential in preventing dental biofilm development. The effects of hydroxyapatite (HA) surface pretreatment with hydrophilic polysaccharides on saliva-promoted S. mutans adhesion in vitro and de novo dental biofilm deposition in vivo were examined. Saliva-promoted adhesion of S. mutans MT8148 was significantly reduced by pretreatment of the HA surface with tragacanth gum (TG) and yeast-derived phosphoglycans. Extracellular phosphomannan (PM) from Pichia capsulata NRRL Y-1842 and TG reduced biofilm development on lower incisors in plaque-susceptible rats when administered via drinking water at concentrations of 0.5% and 0.01%, respectively. The inhibitory effect of TG on de novo dental biofilm formation was also demonstrated when administered via mouthwash in humans. It is concluded that TG and yeast-derived PM have the potential for use as anti-adherent agents and are effective in reducing de novo dental biofilm formation.

Human interleukin-10 transduced fetal liver stem cells prolong survival of mouse skin and heart allografts

Interleukin (IL)-10 regulates immune responses, acting as a suppressive cytokine by inhibiting the synthesis of Th1 cytokines, such as IL-2 and interferon (IFN)-gamma. It also strongly down-regulates major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class II determinants on antigen presenting cells (APC). On the other hand, long-term tolerance is well correlated with the persistence of a peripheral microchimerism. In this study, we investigated the synergistic effect of human IL-10 (huIL-10) and hematopoietic microchimerism for the induction of long-term tolerance. Irradiated Balb/c mice (H-2d) were used as recipients (fetal liver stem cells [FLSC], skin and heart) and C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice were used as donors of FLSC, skin and heart. Recipients were simultaneously transplanted with the heart, the skin and with huIL-10 gene-transduced FLSC. Microchimerism was checked using fluorescent flow cytometry, huIL10 production using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and graft survival was evaluated by daily observation. Significant level of huIL10 (up to 900 pg/mL) was detected for more than 2 weeks in the serum of mice that underwent transplantation. Four weeks after the FLSC injection, microchimerism was identified in the recipient lymphoid organs (spleen, thymus, and bone marrow) by the presence of donor cells (H-2b). Finally, in the group of mice treated with huIL-10 gene-transduced FLSC, skin allografts survived for 18.9 +/- 1.8 days compared with 9.5 and 9.6 days in the groups of mice treated with nontransduced FLSC or huIL-10 alone, respectively. The same pattern for heart allograft survival was observed. HuIL-10 transduction of donor hematopoietic stem cells resulted in production of huIL-10, cell engraftment, and chimerism. Although full tolerance was not obtained, specific and highly significant (P < .001) prolongation of the survival of donor heart allografts with (more than 2-fold compared with nontreated groups) was observed. The infiltration of the transplanted heart and its late rejection demonstrate that stem cells transduced with huIL-10 gene induce "prope" tolerance in this model.

Tenascin-C regulates proliferation and migration of cultured astrocytes in a scratch wound assay

Tenascin-C (TNC), an extracellular matrix glycoprotein, is involved in tissue morphogenesis like embryogenesis, wound healing or tumorigenesis. Astrocytes are known to play major roles in wound healing in the CNS. To elucidate the roles of TNC in wound closure by astrocytes, we have examined the morphological changes of cultured astrocytes in a scratch wound assay and measured the content of soluble TNC released into the medium. We have also localized the expression of TNC mRNA, TNC, glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), vimentin and integrin beta1. After wounding, glial cells rapidly released the largest TNC isoform and proliferated in the border zones. Subsequently, they became polarized with unidirectional processes and finally migrated toward the denuded area. The proliferating border zone cells and pre-migratory cells intensely expressed TNC mRNA, TNC-, vimentin-, GFAP- and integrin beta1-like immunoreactivity, while the migratory cells showed generally reduced expression except the front. Exogenous TNC enhanced cell proliferation and migration, while functional blocking with anti-TNC or anti-integrin beta1 antibody reduced both of them. These results suggest that mechanical injury induces boundary astrocytes to produce and release TNC that promotes cell proliferation and migration via integrin beta1 in an autocrine/paracrine fashion.

Expression of Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor-γ in Renal Ischemia-Reperfusion Injury

The pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury is known to involve cytokines and particularly surface adhesion molecules, the expression of which initiates the attachment of inflammatory cells. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR)-gamma is considered an important immunomodulatory factor as well as a fatty acid regulator. In this study, we researched the expression of PPAR-gamma in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury of the rat. The right kidney was harvested and left renal artery and vein were clamped under laparotomy. The kidney was reperfused after 90 minutes of ischemia, and rats were sacrificed at 0, 1.5, 3, 5, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion. PPAR-gamma expression was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining using monoclonal antibody. In normal kidney, PPAR-gamma staining was weak on endothelial cells, including mesangial cells. On the other hand, PPAR-gamma staining was weak on interstitial cells and strong on collecting ducts of medulla. From 1.5 to 5 hours after reperfusion, PPAR-gamma staining was strong on endothelial cells, moderate on interstitial cells, and strong on collecting ducts. Twelve hours after reperfusion, PPAR-gamma staining was weak on endothelial cells, moderate on interstitial cells, and strong on collecting ducts. PPAR-gamma is induced on collecting ducts, interstitial cells, and endothelial cells in a rat model having renal ischemia-reperfusion injury.

The expression of cyclooxygenases and lipoxygenases in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

Recent studies of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury have focused on the function of neutrophils as well as the actions of inflammatory cytokines. However, few reports address cyclooxygenases (COXs) and lipoxygenases (LOXs). We researched the expression of COXs (COX-1 and COX-2) and LOXs (5-LOX and 12-LOX) in rat renal I/R injury. The right kidney of male Lewis rats was excised, and the left renal artery and vein clamped for a 90-minute ischemia time. Rats were humanely killed at 0, 1.5, 3, 5, and 12 hours after reperfusion. COX and LOX expressions were studied using immunohistostaining. COX-2 and LOX expressions were observed only on endothelial cells of normal kidney. From 1.5 to 5 hours after reperfusion, COX-2 and LOXs expressions gradually intensified on endothelial cells. COX-2 and LOXs expression were most intense on endothelial cells at 5 hours after reperfusion. Twelve hours after reperfusion, necrosis extended throughout the ischemic kidney and nearly all the tubular epithelial cells were destroyed. Thus, at 12 hours after reperfusion, COX-2 and LOXs expressions on endothelial cells became weaker. However, COX-1 expression was not different at every time after reperfusion. COX-2 and LOXs were expressed in a rat model showing renal I/R injury. Several hours after the maximum of COX-2 and LOXs expressions, the maximal renal I/R injury was observed. These results suggest a relationship between COX-2 and LOXs expressions and renal I/R injury.

Study of cyclooxygenase-2 in renal ischemia-reperfusion injury

The pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury is known to involve cytokines and particularly surface adhesion molecules, the expression of which initiates the attachment of inflammatory cells. Cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and COX-2 catalyze the initial key enzymatic steps in the metabolism of arachidonic acid. COX-1 is constitutively expressed in most tissues, whereas COX-2 is induced in response to proinflamamatory cytokines and stress. In this study we examined the expression of COX-1 and COX-2 in the rat after 90 minutes of warm-I/R injury. Rats were sacrificed at 0, 1.5, 3, 5, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion. COX-2 expressions were analyzed by immunohistochemical staining, which was graded on a scale of 0 to 4. All results are presented as the mean values +/- SD. Data analyses used analysis of variance. COX-2 expression was most intense on endothelial cells at 3 and 5 hours after reperfusion. From 12 to 24 hours after reperfusion COX-2 expression on endothelial cells gradually became weaker. COX-2 expression scores were significantly higher at 1.5, 3, 5, 12, and 24 hours after reperfusion than at 0 hours. However, there were no differences in COX-1 expression after reperfusion. Several hours after the maximum of COX-2 expression the maximum renal I/R injury was observed. These results suggest a relationship between COX-2 expression and renal I/R injury.

Cyclooxygenase-1 and -2 in human testicular tumours

In this study, we investigated the expression of cyclooxygenase (COX)-1 and -2 in human testicular cancer (TC) and normal testis (NT) tissues, as well as the effects of COX ligands on viability and proliferation. Tumour specimens were obtained from 72 patients with TC and 20 patients with NT. RT-PCR and immunohistochemical methods were used to determine COX expression. While COX expression was not noted in any of the NT tissues, a marked expression was observed in the TC samples. The extent and intensity of immunoreactive COX-1 and -2 polypeptides in the TC tissues was statistically greater than the expression in the NT tissues. The synthetic COX inhibitors inhibited the growth of the TC cells. Both COX-1 and COX-2 are induced in testicular cancer, and these results indicate that both COX-1 and COX-2 are essential for the growth of TC cells.

Autoimmune thyroid disease accompanied by recurring episodes of painful thyroid ameliorated by thyroidectomy

A 71-yr-old female initially presented with clinical and biochemical hyperthyroidism with high TSH binding inhibitory immunoglobulin (TBII) and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) titers. Histological findings of the thyroid revealed hyperplasia with a focal germinal center, indicating Graves' disease and mild focal chronic thyroiditis. Four episodes of painful and tender thyroid occurred over the next 2 yr accompanied by acute inflammatory reactions. The first episode that developed while the patient was in a hyperthyroid state was soon followed by hypothyroidism associated with further increases in anti-thyroglobulin antibody (TGAb) and TPOAb titers. The subsequent 3 episodes occurred during the hypothyroid state, when the TGAb titer progressively increased with each episode. We performed subtotal thyroidectomy to prevent further episodes. Specimens obtained at thyroidectomy showed that extreme fibrosis had replaced the thyroid parenchyma with collapsed follicles and moderate lymphocyte infiltration. No further episodes occurred after thyroidectomy, and during a 3-yr follow-up period, TBII and thyroid-stimulating antibody (TSAb) disappeared and TGAb and TPOAb titers decreased. This case report provides further evidence supporting the notion that thyroid epithelial destruction progresses during relatively short periods of recurrent painful thyroid and that thyroidectomy helps patients affected by this condition that are unresponsive to other treatment strategies.

Beneficial effects of tea catechins on diet-induced obesity: stimulation of lipid catabolism in the liver

OBJECTIVE

Obesity has increased at an alarming rate in recent years and is now a worldwide health problem. We investigated the effects of long-term feeding with tea catechins, which are naturally occurring polyphenolic compounds widely consumed in Asian countries, on the development of obesity in C57BL/6J mice.

DESIGN

We measured body weight, adipose tissue mass and liver fat content in mice fed diets containing either low-fat (5% triglyceride (TG)), high-fat (30% TG), or high-fat supplemented with 0.1-0.5% (w/w) tea catechins for 11 months. The beta-oxidation activities and related mRNA levels were measured after 1 month of feeding.

RESULTS

Supplementation with tea catechins resulted in a significant reduction of high-fat diet-induced body weight gain, visceral and liver fat accumulation, and the development of hyperinsulinemia and hyperleptinemia. Feeding with tea catechins for 1 month significantly increased acyl-CoA oxidase and medium chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase mRNA expression as well as beta-oxidation activity in the liver.

CONCLUSION

The stimulation of hepatic lipid metabolism might be a factor responsible for the anti-obesity effects of tea catechins. The present results suggest that long-term consumption of tea catechins is beneficial for the suppression of diet-induced obesity, and it may reduce the risk of associated diseases including diabetes and coronary heart disease.

Accelerated reaction by loop-mediated isothermal amplification using loop primers

Loop-mediated isothermal amplification (LAMP) is a novel nucleic acid amplification method that amplifies DNA with high specificity, efficiency and rapidity under isothermal conditions using a set of four specially designed primers and a DNA polymerase with strand displacement activity. We have developed a method that accelerates the LAMP reaction by using additional primers, termed loop primers. Loop primers hybridize to the stem-loops, except for the loops that are hybridized by the inner primers, and prime strand displacement DNA synthesis. Although both inner and loop primers react via the loops, they do so by different mechanisms. The LAMP method presented here uses loop primers to achieve reaction times of less than half that of the original LAMP method. Since the total time of analysis including detection is less than 1h, this new method should facilitate genetic analysis, including genetic diagnosis in the clinical laboratory.

Change in the bisphenol A content in a polycarbonate orthodontic bracket and its leaching characteristics in water

The change in the bisphenol A (BPA) content in a polycarbonate (PC) orthodontic bracket and its leaching characteristics were studied by immersing the bracket in water because BPA has been the matter of controversy in dentistry due to its estrogenic potential. PC brackets were placed in water at 37 degrees C and 60 degrees C and the BPA content in the bracket and the amount of BPA released into the water were analyzed at appropriate intervals by high performance liquid chromatography. The BPA content increased in the water with time and was 3.8-fold after 12 months at 37 degrees C and 12.4-fold after 14 weeks at 60 degrees C compared with the virgin value. The rate of BPA release also increased with time. The results suggested that BPA was released from the bracket time-dependently in the oral cavity. However, it was assessed that little or no estrogenic effect due to the released BPA is expected in the human body.

Serum progesterone and estradiol-17beta concentrations, and lapaloscopic observations of the ovary in the cheetah (Acinonyxjubatus) with pregnant mare serum gonadotropin and human chorionic gonadotropin treatments

In 3 adult female cheetahs, induced-superovulation treatment was conducted, by means of 200 IU of pregnant mare serum gonadotropin (PMSG) and 100 IU of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) 80 hr after PMSG. The administration of PMSG created a sharp increase in the estradiol-17beta concentration, resulting in 232 pg/ml 8 hr later in one specimen out of three. The hCG administration showed an increase in the progesterone concentration of 2.29 ng/ml 46 hr later. In addition, after direct observation of the ovary surface by laparoscopy, 5 follicles in the right ovary over 2 mm in diameter, and 7 corpora lutea (5 in the right ovary and 2 in the left) were found. It is assumed that ovulation can be induced with hCG after 80 hr on PMSG during a cheetah's diestrus or proestrus.