Characterization of dynamics of the psbD light-induced transcription in mature wheat chloroplasts

Dynamical aspects of three chloroplast promoters responding to change in light condition were examined in mature chloroplasts of wheat (Triticum aestivum) by in vitro transcription. The wheat psbD/C operon has four distinct promoters, two of which named as D/C-3 and D/C-4 promoters dominantly function in mature chloroplasts to produce the mRNAs encoding D2/CP43 and CP43 alone, respectively. Activity of the D/C-3 promoter in mature chloroplasts was reduced to less than 30% by 24 h dark adaptation and recovered by re-illumination to the original level within 30 to 60 min. The activation of the D/C-3 promoter which requires de novo cytoplasmic protein synthesis was induced by low fluence of light (e.g. 16 microE m(-2) s(-1)), but the extent of activation increased with increasing light fluence. The accumulation of mRNAs from the D/C-3 promoter saturated at 2- to 3-fold higher level within 2 h when the dark-adapted seedlings were transferred to the light at 72 microE m(-2) s(-1), concomitant with the increase in rate of D2 synthesis, suggesting that synthesis of D2 in mature chloroplasts is controlled via the D/C-3 promoter activity in a light-dependent way. Activity of the D/C-4 promoter slightly increased in the dark and decreased in the light. Effect of light on the psbA promoter activity was not observed at all in mature chloroplasts. In vitro transcriptional analysis of the D/C-3 promoter with 5' deletion mutations revealed that at least two cis elements which are located within the sequences of -78 to -47 and -46 to -29 of the transcription initiation site, respectively, act as enhancing elements in the D/C-3 promoter. The light-switching element of the transcription, however, was suggested to be located in the core promoter sequence downstream of the -35 element.

Genetic polymorphisms in the keratin-like S gene within the human major histocompatibility complex and association analysis on the susceptibility to psoriasis vulgaris

Psoriasis vulgaris is associated with the HLA-Cw6 and Cw7 antigens. However, it has not yet been clarified if the HLA-Cw6 and Cw7 genes themselves are the susceptible gene related to this disease or if it is some other non-HLA gene in a linkage disequilibrium with these HLA-C alleles. The S gene, recently identified in the HLA class I region 160 kb telomeric of HLA-C, encodes a keratin-like protein and is expressed specifically in the granular layer of the epidermis. Therefore, it is tempting to speculate that the S gene is one of the strong candidate genes responsible for the pathogenesis of psoriasis vulgaris. Direct sequencing of the first and second exon of the S gene after polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification has allowed the identification of two diallelic polymorphic sites in exon I and seven diallelic polymorphic sites in exon 2, three among which result in amino acid exchanges, a Ser-Phe substitution at amino acid position 186, a Gly-Val substitution at position 393 and a Ser-Leu substitution at position 394. No significant difference in the dimorphic distributions of the S gene was observed between the patients with psoriasis vulgaris and healthy controls, suggesting that the susceptible gene for psoriasis is not the S gene itself.

cDNA cloning of the human homologues of the mouse Ke4 and Ke6 genes at the centromeric end of the human MHC region

cDNA clones corresponding to the HKE4 and HKE6 genes at the centromeric end of the HLA region on human chromosome 6p21.3 were isolated and characterized. The predicted amino acid sequences of HKE4 and HKE6 exhibited 81.5 and 85.6% identity to the mouse homologues, Ke4 and Ke6, respectively. HKE4 may encode a membrane protein with histidine-rich charge clusters. HKE6 possesses remarkable amino acid sequence conservation with several bacterial proteins with oxidoreductase function and also shows significant homology with the two unique functional domains containing the nucleotide cofactor binding site and the consensus motif characteristic of the members of the superfamily of short-chain alcohol dehydrogenases such as human and rat steroid and prostaglandin dehydrogenases.

MR imaging of primary adrenal lymphoma

We describe a patient with non-Hodgkin's B-cell lymphoma of diffuse large cell type, which involved both adrenal glands without adrenocortical insufficiency. Magnetic resonance showed bilateral adrenal tumors with some enhancing septa.

Eicosapentaenoic acid suppressed the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells through modulation of various steps of growth signals

Among fatty acids, only n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids such as eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA) and docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) inhibited the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells. DHA was less effective than EPA. To clarify the anti-proliferative effect of n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid, we have explored the effect of EPA on the signal transduction pathway of platelet derived growth factor (PDGF). EPA inhibited PDGF binding on its receptor and activation of protein kinase C. EPA also suppressed c-fos mRNA expression, one of immediate early genes, through partly inhibiting c-fos transcription. These data revealed that EPA could inhibit vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation through modulating various steps of the signal transduction by PDGF.

Purification and characterization of RNA polymerase holoenzyme (E sigma B) from vegetative-phase mycelia of Streptomyces griseus

RNA polymerase was purified from vegetative-phase mycelia of Streptomyces griseus by a series of ion-exchange chromatographies. By western blot analysis using antiserum against S. coelicolor HrdB, which is a principal sigma factor (sigma(hrdB)), the purified holoenzyme was found to contain sigmaB (=sigma(hrdB)) of S. griseus. Significant amounts of HrdB protein were, however, eluted from the DEAE column at lower concentrations of KCl than that required for for elution of the holoenzyme containing sigmaB, suggesting that sigmaB is dissociated from the core enzyme, or an excess amount of sigmaB exists in S.griseus cells. The holoenzyme containing sigmaB (EsigmaB) transcribed in vitro the dagA promoter of S. coelicolor, and the hardB and hsp70 promoters of S. griseus, suggesting that it is involved in transcription of the essential genes. EsigmaB may be a major form of RNA polymerase holoenzyme in the growing phase of S. griseus.

[Evaluation of compression radiotherapy in pelvic treatment]

In pelvic irradiation, the volume of irradiated small intestine is one of the major factors responsible for both acute and late gastrointestinal complications. In this study, exclusion of the small intestine from the pelvic radiation field was attempted with lower abdominal wall compression and bladder distention in the prone position. The mobility of intrapelvic and several problems associated with this technique were investigated. In our results, the small intestine was effectively moved outside of the whole pelvic radiation field in all but two patients. Treatment interruption of 2 days was observed in only two patients. With the AP/PA opposing field method the abdominal skin dose near the compression pillow was revealed to be higher and the dose at the isocenter was inhomogeneous; thus, a three- or four-field technique is recommended if abdominal wall compression is used.

L protein, encoded by psbL, restores normal functioning of the primary quinone acceptor, QA, in isolated D1/D2/CP47/Cytb-559/I photosystem II reaction center core complex

Plastoquinone-9 (PQ-9)-depleted PSII reaction center core complex, consisting of CP47/D1/D2/Cytb-559/I, was isolated from spinach PSII particles. PQ-9, lipids and several proteins were extracted from the original PSII particles and separated by several steps of chromatography to be reconstituted into the isolated complex. PQ-9 reconstituted in the complex with the help of thylakoid lipids (digalactosyldiglyceride) did not function as QA by itself. However, PQ-9 simultaneously reconstituted with L protein and the thylakoid lipids successfully functioned as QA in the complex. Other proteins of PSII origin, such as CP43, H, K, nuclear encoded 4.1 and 5.0 kDa proteins, are unable to restore the QA activity in the complex.

In Vitro Analysis of Light-Induced Transcription in the Wheat psbD/C Gene Cluster Using Plastid Extracts from Dark-Grown and Short-Term-Illuminated Seedlings

We describe a plastid in vitro transcription system that reflects characteristic features of the light-regulated transcription observed in vivo. Multiple transcripts of the wheat (Triticum aestivum) psbD/C gene cluster comprise six distinct 5[prime] ends including four transcription initiation sites designated as D/C-1 through D/C-4. Transcripts from one particular site, D/C-3, were found to be conspicuously enhanced in abundance after 4 h of illumination in vivo. The plastid extract prepared from 5-d-old dark-grown wheat seedlings was capable of transcribing from the D/C-2 and D/C-4 sites in vitro but had almost no transcription activity from the light-responsive D/C-3 site (the D/C-1 site was not examined). The plastid extract from 4-h-illuminated seedlings initiated transcription from the light-responsive site (D/C-3). Transcription from the D/C-2 and D/C-4 sites was not enhanced by using the extract from 4-h-illuminated seedlings, indicative of specific activation of the light-responsive promoter on the D/C-3 site by the extract from 4-h-illuminated seedlings. The plastid extract from 4-h-illuminated seedlings was divided into two fractions on a heparin-Sepharose column, into which the light-induced component(s) responsible for activation of the D/C-3 promoter and RNA polymerase were separated. The fraction containing the component(s) activating the D/C-3 promoter induced the transcription activity from the D/C-3 site in the plastid extract from dark-grown seedlings. It is concluded that the plastid extract from 4-h-illuminated seedlings contains some light-regulatory component(s) that activate specifically the light-responsive promoter.

Eicosapentaenoic acid and docosahexaenoic acid suppress the proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

Eicosapentaenoic acid, which is one of the n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA), is reported to exert its antithrombotic and anti-atherogenic effect partly through the modulation of vascular cell functions. Vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) proliferation plays an important role in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. We reported the differential effect of various PUFA on VSMC proliferation. First we established a method for preparing PUFA rich cells in culture to mimic the in vivo situation using PUFA triacylglycerol emulsion. Using these fatty acid rich cells, we found that only EPA and docosahexaenoic acid, although less potent than EPA, inhibited the proliferation of VSMC among the fatty acids tested. This effect of EPA was reversed by the addition of anti-oxidants. It is suggested that production of the oxidized species at a low concentration from EPA inhibited the proliferation of VSMC. This anti-proliferative effect of EPA and DHA on VSMC could partly explain the anti-atherosclerotic effect of marine lipids.

Dynamical behavior of psb gene transcripts in greening wheat seedlings. I. Time course of accumulation of the pshA through psbN gene transcripts during light-induced greening

The time course of the accumulation of the transcripts from 13 psb genes encoding a major part of the proteins composing photosystem II during light-induced greening of dark-grown wheat seedlings was examined focusing on early stages of plastid development (0.5 h through 72 h). The 13 genes can be divided into three groups. (1) The psbA gene is transcribed as a single transcript of 1.3 kb in the dark-grown seedlings, but its level increases 5- to 7-fold in response to light due to selective increase in RNA stability as well as in transcription activity. (2) The psbE-F-L-J operon, psbM and psbN genes are transcribed as a single transcript of 1.1 kb, two transcripts of 0.5 and 0.7 kb and a single transcript of 0.3 kb, respectively, in the dark-grown seedlings. The levels of accumulation of every transcript remain unchanged or rather decrease during plastid development under illumination. (3) The psbK-I-D-C gene cluster and psbB-H operon exhibit fairly complicated northern hybridization patterns during the greening process. When a psbC or psbD gene probe was used for northern hybridization, five transcripts differing in length were detected in the etioplasts from 5-day old dark-grown seedlings. After 2 h illumination, two new transcripts of different length appeared. Light induction of new transcripts was also observed in the psbB-H operon.

[Results of radiation therapy of extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma]

From January 1975 to August 1988, 40 patients with extrahepatic bile duct carcinoma were treated by external irradiation at Chiba University Hospital and the National Medical Center Hospital. Thirty-four patients (male: 20, female: 14) were evaluable. Eighteen patients were postoperative cases because the surgical margin was positive for tumor cells in the postoperative pathological examination; the other 16 were inoperable cases. Survival in postoperative and inoperable cases was not significantly different, with median survival times of 13.8 and 8.1 months, respectively. Survival in the recanalization-positive and negative-groups was significantly different (p less than 0.05) after irradiation, with median survival times of 13.5 and 6.0 months, respectively. Complications of therapy were recognized in 68% of all cases. They were mainly gastrointestinal symptoms such as nausea, vomiting, erosive gastritis and loss of appetite, but they were not severe. Distant metastasis was recognized in only 4 patients (10%): three had bony metastasis and one had supraclavicular and pulmonary hilar lymph node metastasis. Ninety percent of all cases died from hepatic failure or peritonitis carcinomatosa due to failure to obtain local control by external irradiation. A more effective modality of treatment is necessary to cure these patients.

Radiation therapy in patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma

From April 1978 through December 1989, a total of 17 patients with unresectable hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) were treated with radiation therapy alone or radiation therapy in conjunction with percutaneous ethanol injection (PEI), transarterial infusion chemotherapy (TAI), or transarterial embolization (TAE) at the National Medical Center Hospital. The median survival of all patients was 13.8 months. The survival values determined at 1, 2, and 3 years were 58.8%, 26.1%, and 9.8%, respectively. Only the pretreatment liver function affected the survival value. Between patients who did not have liver cirrhosis (LC) as well as those who had LC of Child's class A and patients who had LC of Child's class B or C, the differences observed in the 1-year survival value and the median duration of survival were statistically significant (P < 0.05). The serum cholinesterase (ChE) level seemed to be a good indicator of liver function during the radiation therapy. A field size of 150 cm2 and a total dose of 5000 cGy (TDF 82) seemed to be well tolerated by patients who did not have LC and those who had LC of Child's class A. The field size determined whether patients with poor liver function such as LC of Child's class B or C would develop severe hepatic deterioration after undergoing radiation therapy.

Radiotherapy of cholangiocarcinoma: the roles for primary and adjuvant therapies

A total of 22 patients with cholangiocarcinoma who had been treated with external radiotherapy between 1978 and 1989 were analyzed. Of the 22 patients, 18 had cancer of the hepatic hilus (Klatskin) and 4 had intrahepatic biliary cancer; all but 2 of the subjects had advanced disease. In all, 16 patients underwent primary irradiation for unresectable tumors, 4 were subjected to adjuvant irradiation after gross tumor resection, and 2 received preoperative irradiation followed by gross tumor resection. The mean initial irradiation dose was 52.0 Gy (range, 26-78 Gy). The TDF (time-dose-fractionation) for the entire course of radiotherapy ranged from 49 to 154 (mean, 100). The median survival of all patients was 10 months, and the cumulative 1-year survival value was 37.7%. The external radiotherapy proved to be effective in the treatment of cholangiocarcinoma in terms of palliation and survival.

Sequence of hrdB, an essential gene encoding sigma-like transcription factor of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2): homology to principal sigma factors

The complete nucleotide sequence of the hrdB gene, an essential gene of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2), indicates the presence of an open reading frame encoding a putative polypeptide of 442 amino acid (aa) residues with an Mr of 48,412. The principal sigma-like transcriptional factor of S. coelicolor (HrdB) protein showed an extensive aa sequence homology with the known principal sigma factors of Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Myxococcus xanthus. The degree of sequence similarity between HrdB protein and the known principal sigma factors was distinct from that observed between the principal sigma factors and the alternative (minor) sigma factors. Essentially all of the functional domains proposed for the principal sigma factor of E. coli were conserved in HrdB protein. The putative sigma factor, HrdB, like that of B. subtilis had a short internal nonconserved region, which might be characteristic of Gram+ species.

Nucleotide sequence of genes hrdA, hrdC, and hrdD from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) having similarity to rpoD genes

The complete nucleotide sequences were determined of hrdA, hrdC, and hrdD from Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2). They indicate the presence of a single open reading frame in each gene coding for polypeptides of 396 (43,747 daltons), 339 (38,173 daltons), and 332 amino acid residues (37,190 daltons), respectively. These amino acid sequences revealed extensive similarities with the principal sigma factors of Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Mxyococcus xanthus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and also the katF gene product of E. coli. Besides the highly conserved amino acid residues in the "rpoD box" region, alignment of hrd gene products and the known principal sigma factors and sigma-related factors allowed us to postulate a common basic structure for the principal sigma type factors as distinct from the alternative sigma factors.

[Evaluation of pontine visualization with single photon emission computed tomography using N-isopropyl-p-(I-123)iodoamphetamine in normal and pathological cases]

Pontine visualization with single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) using N-isopropyl-p-[I-123]iodoamphetamine (I-123 IMP) was evaluated in 99 cases including 46 cases of brain infarction, 25 of other cerebrovascular disorders and 28 of brain tumor and in 19 normal subjects. In each case, SPECT using a rotating gamma camera was started at 30 minutes after intravenous administration of 111 MBq of I-123 IMP. Transverse images were reconstructed parallel to the cantho-meatal line and displayed on films. Pontine visualization was visually classified into three grades: high radioactive accumulation confined to the pons with clear contour (Grade 3), faint accumulation with indistinct contour in the pontine region (Grade 1), the pontine accumulation was identified but its activity was less significant (Grade 2). The results showed that grade of the pontine accumulation was lower in pathological cases compared to normal subjects. Six cases with brain stem lesion demonstrated pontine accumulation of grade 1 in 4 case and of grade 2 in 2 cases. Lower grade was also revealed in 29 cases with crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD). No significant correlation was observed between classified grade of pontine accumulation and maximum counts of reconstructed images. We concluded that SPECT could detect brain stem lesions and that lower accumulation in pons with CCD positive cases was thought to partially reflect the reduced blood flow and metabolism in the pontine nuclei.

[A case of subacute cerebral infarction demonstrating hyperemia and crossed cerebellar diaschisis in I-123 IMP SPECT]

SPECT with N-isopropyl-p-[I-123]iodoamphetamine were performed in a 81-year-old man with cerebral infarction. In the subacute phase, the radioactivity was increased in the infarct area where fogging effect and remarkable contrast enhancement was demonstrated in X-ray CT. The contralateral cerebellar hemisphere showed reduced activity due to crossed cerebellar diaschisis (CCD). In the chronic phase, the decrement of the activity in the infarct was observed. Increased activity in the subacute phase was thought to reflect the hyperemia in the infarct, while CCD suggested the decreased metabolic activity in the lesion. The coexistence of the hyperemia and the CCD indicates flow and metabolic uncoupling, which means "luxury perfusion". This case was also thought to demonstrate atypical findings of CCD in SPECT imaging.

[Effects of heat treated cells of intestinal lactic acid bacteria in rats fed a deoxycholic acid diet]

Effects of the administration of heat treated cells of intestinal lactic acid bacteria were examined in rats fed a deoxycholic acid (DCA) diet. Male Wistar rats were given a 0.25% DCA diet with or without the heat treated cells of Enterococcus faecalis AD 1001 (EFH-1) or Lactobacillus reuteri AD 0002 (LRH-2) for 4 weeks. Abnormal increases in serum GOT, GPT, UN and lipoproteins were observed in the rats fed the DCA diet. Furthermore, severe lesions in the kidney as well as in the liver were found in these rats. On the contrary, the increases in serum GOT, UN, VLDL and LDL were significantly suppressed, and markedly fewer lesions in the liver and the kidney were observed in the rats fed the DCA diet plus EFH-1 or LRH-2.

[Therapeutic efficacy of postoperative irradiation on carcinoma of the breast]

From July 1973 to October 1983, 77 patients received mastectomy followed by postoperative irradiation at National Medical Center Hospital. The patients were classified as follows: 9 cases as stage I, 30 cases as stage II, 28 cases as stage IIIa, 7 cases as stage IIIb and 2 cases as stage IV. Irradiation fields were the parasternal and supraclavicular region. The axis of the irradiation fields to parasternal and supraclavicular regions were set up at 3.5 cm from the surface of the body and they were irradiated separately. The irradiation fields were about 0.5 cm apart from each other. Parasternal region contained bilateral parasternal lymphnodes. In some cases, the centersplit was used to prevent the radiation myelopathy. Prophylactic irradiation to axilla was performed by electron beam from October 1974 to September 1977. Prophylactic irradiation to chest wall has not been done since 1973. The five and ten years survival rates of stage II were 93.2% and 86.3%, stage IIIa were 61.9% and 55. 7%, Stage IIIb were 71.4% and 35.7%. The rate of the local recurrence at the supraclavicular region was 0% as stage I, 6.7% as stage II, 0% as stage IIIa and 14.3% as stage IIIb. Among the cases with regional lymphnode involvement at the time of mastectomy, the rate of local recurrence at the supraclavicular region was 6.7% in prophylactic irradiation group and it was significantly lower than in non-prophylactic irradiation group (11.5%) (p less than 0.05). The rate of local recurrence to chest wall was 0% as stage I, 6.7% as stage II, 8.0% as stage IIIa and 42.9% as stage IIIb.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Possible involvement of cyclic GMP (cGMP) in atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) induced natriuresis]

In order to clarify the mechanism of action of ANF on nephron, nephrogenous cGMP (NcGMP) was calculated. And the interrelationship between the changes in NcGMP, urinary sodium excretions or renal hemodynamics were investigated with direct intrarenal infusion of various doses of ANF. A small dose of ANF (0.03 micrograms/kg/min) increased sodium clearance (CNa) significantly without any appreciable changes in NcGMP, creatinine clearance (Ccr) or renal blood flow (RBF). A larger dose of ANF (0.1 or 0.3 micrograms/kg/min) significantly increased CNa, NcGMP, RBF and Ccr. A net increase in CNa (delta CNa) had a positive correlation with that in NcGMP (delta NcGMP), but the regression line did not pass through the zero point. These findings imply that a larger dose of ANF might effect on glomeruli and gene-rate cGMP to induce natriuresis by raising GFR. However natriuresis induces by a small dose of ANF considered to be caused by the other mechanisms, possibly by the direct or indirect effect of ANF on renal tubules.

Inter-relationship between urinary kallikrein-kinins and arginine vasopressin in man

1. Physiological saline solution was infused in nine normal subjects and six patients with central diabetes insipidus (DI). At 120 min after the start of infusion, arginine vasopressin (AVP) was injected intramuscularly. Urine was collected in 30 min fractions before and after AVP administration. 2. The urinary excretions of kallikrein-like activity (KAL-A) (S-2266 hydrolysis activity) and immunoreactive kinins (i-kinins) were significantly lower in patients with DI than in normal subjects before AVP administration, while there were no differences in plasma renin activity, plasma aldosterone concentration, creatinine clearance and blood pressure between the two groups, except for a marked water diuresis in patients with DI. The urinary excretion of KAL-A and i-kinins correlated positively with the urinary excretion of AVP. 3. AVP administration increased both plasma AVP and urinary excretion of AVP to similar levels in both groups. As a result, urine volume decreased to a greater degree in patients with DI than in normal subjects. In contrast, the urinary excretions of KAL-A and i-kinins were increased by AVP administration, with a greater response in normal subjects than in the patients with DI. 4. After overnight fasting, acute water loading was carried out orally for 15 min in six normal subjects. At 30 min plasma AVP was suppressed by water loading to almost the basal level found in patients with DI. Urinary excretions of KAL-A and i-kinins in the first 30 min fraction after loading were also suppressed to the basal level in patients with DI. Later, the urinary excretion of KAL-A increased together with the increase in urine flow. Urine volume and free water clearance markedly increased except in the first 30 min fraction, compared with the control period.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Interrelationship between urinary kallikrein and arginine-vasopressin in man

Physiological saline solution was infused in 9 normal subjects and 6 patients with central diabetes insipidus (DI). At 120 min after the start of infusion, arginine vasopressin (AVP) was injected (i.m.). Urine was collected every 30 min fraction. The urinary excretion of kallikrein-like activity (KAL-A) (S-2266 hydrolysis activity) was significantly lower in patients with DI than in normal subjects, without showing the differences of plasma renin activity (PRA), plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC), creatinine clearance (Ccr) and blood pressure between the two groups, except a marked water-diuresis in DI. The urinary excretion of KAL-A correlated positively with the urinary excretion of AVP. AVP administration significantly increased the urinary excretion of KAL-A. After overnight fasting, an acute oral water-loading was carried out for 15 min in 6 normal subjects. Concomitant with a significant suppression of the level of plasma AVP from the first 30 min, a slight, but significant, decrease in urinary excretion of KAL-A was observed in the first 30 min fraction after loading, compared with the control period. Afterwards, the urinary excretion of KAL-A increased prominently with an increase in urine flow. KAL-A in the urine decreased promptly from the first 30 min fraction and then gradually until 120 min after loading. Urine volume and free-water markedly increased except the first 30 min fraction, compared with the control period. Thus it is suggested that AVP is one of factors which actually regulate the secretion of renal kallikrein in man.

Multiple principal sigma factor homologs in eubacteria: identification of the "rpoD box"

Genes for the principal sigma factor (rpoD genes) of various eubacteria were identified with a synthetic oligonucleotide probe corresponding to a conserved sequence in rpoD gene products of Escherichia coli and Bacillus subtilis. Multiple rpoD homologs were found in the strains of Micrococcus, Pseudomonas, and Streptomyces, whereas single genes were detected in E. coli, B. subtilis, and Staphylococcus aureus. The four rpoD homologs of Streptomyces coelicolor A3(2) were cloned and sequenced. A homologous portion with 13 amino acids was found in the rpoD genes of S. coelicolor A3(2), E. coli, and B. subtilis and was named the "rpoD box."

[Effect of intra-thoracic administration of an immune modulator (OK-432) with anti-cancer drugs (ADR and MMC)]

Fourty-three patients with pleuritis carcinomatosa have been treated with an intra-thoracic administration in four distinct ways: Adriamycin alone, OK-432 alone, the combination of Adriamycin with OK-432, or the combination of Mitomycin C with OK-432. Judging from an evaluation of the subsequent chest X-rays, the prognosis of the cases which received the combination therapy of the two drugs was significantly better to that of the others. There were no significant differences between cases with primary lung cancer and those with other cancers. As for the side effects after the administration, there were no side effects, such as the trouble the renal function or liver function, other than fever and a decrease in the W.B.C.

[Severity of aortic stenosis assessed by Doppler techniques]

Continuous wave (CW) Doppler ultrasound has facilitated accurate estimates of pressure gradient (PG) across a stenotic valve. However, the severity of stenosis cannot be assessed using PG alone because it is dependent on actual flow across the valve. In this study, Doppler techniques were used to predict PG and aortic valve areas (AVA) in adults with aortic stenosis (AS). Fifty-four adult patients undergoing cardiac catheterization for suspected AS were prospectively evaluated. There were 28 men and 26 women, who ranged in age from 25 to 68 years with a mean of 56 years. These Doppler ultrasound studies were performed using a 2 MHz transducer and an Aloka SSD-730. With CW Doppler ultrasound, the highest velocities of the aortic jet were recorded from an apical approach. Left ventricular outflow flows were recorded about 1.0-1.5 cm below the aortic annulus using high PRF. Doppler waveforms were analyzed for the AT/ET (AT: acceleration time, ET: ejection time), and Doppler PG was calculated from the maximum velocity (V) of the aortic jet based on a modified Bernoulli equation (PG = 4V2), and aortic valve area was obtained using the continuity equation-(AVA = left ventricular outflow tract stroke volume divided by AS jet velocity integral). These data were compared with hemodynamic data obtained from cardiac catheterization. The following results were obtained: 1. In eight patients with substantial aortic regurgitation, whose maximum catheter PG were from 20 to 45 mmHg, the AT/ET was less than 0.30. The ratio of AT/ET correlated with the peak velocity of the aortic jet (r = 0.88) and the maximum PG (r = 0.87) obtained from cardiac catheterization. 2. In 46 patients with AS, the maximum PG by CW Doppler showed an excellent correlation with maximum catheterization PG (r = 0.97, SEE 6 mmHg), and the mean PG as calculated by the two techniques also disclosed a good correlation (r = 0.97, SEE 5.4 mmHg).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

[Diagnosis and treatment of metastatic bone tumor in the field of radiology]

From 1973 December to 1986 September, we have experienced 2,500 cases of radiation treatment, of which 237 cases have been with bone metastasis. X-ray CT was examined on the 19 cases to detect the bone metastasis. The detective rate was 89.5% with bone scintigram alone improved to 94.7% with both bone scintigram and X-ray CT. Serum Alkali phosphatase (Al-p) were measured after and before radiation treatment on 147 cases. Values of Al-p increased on 64.6% cases measured and when values of Al-p were decreased after radiation treatment, good treatment effects were showed. Electron microscope disclosed that Al-p has existed around cell membrane of metastatic tumor cell. We considered there is a correlation between increment of Al-p in blood and contents of Al-p in bone metastatic tissues. Judgement of effects of radiation treatments were scored by three grades of pain relieving on 217 cases. Effective rate showed 87.5%. Effective rate increased by using high dose rates irradiation with small fraction. Effective cases in relieving pain had longer survival than less ones. 26 cases which could not walk due to spinal cord paresis were treated by irradiation only or irradiation with decompression surgery. Walk recovery rate was 33% by radiation treatment only, on the other hand, by treatment with decompression surgery, it was 20%. Regarding as side effect, radiation myelopathy hardly occurred about 50 Gy (conventional irradiation method). We think if longer survival time is hoped, about 50 Gy is needed.

[Diagnosis and treatment of bone metastasis]

Diagnosis and treatments of bone metastasis were reviewed with clinical experiments in National Medical center Hospital. As for diagnosis of bone metastasis, early detection of bone metastasis was significantly improved by using bone scintigrams recently progressed. But the results of reviews suggest the possible improvements in diagnosis of bone metastasis. X-CT (X-ray Computed Tomography) for diagnosis of bone metastasis is advantages in three dimensional delineation of the extend and spread of bone lesions in bone marrow over bone scintigram. MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) has clinically been developed since 1981, does not directly represent bone structures but soft tissues in bone marrow, giving useful information concerning changes and spread of metastatic bone tumor not only inside the bone but also around it. MRI is now in technical progress and expected some improvements, could be expected in early diagnosis of bone metastasis. Regarding as treatment, we have individually to choose from radiotherapy, hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, surgical therapy according to clinical circumstances and does themselves. Radiation treatment is widely approved not only much effective in relieving the pains from bone metastasis, but also it is considered at the first choice in treatment of the spinal cord paresis by vertebral metastasis, because of frequently bringing good therapeutic effects.

[Diagnosis of tricuspid stenosis by two-dimensional and pulsed Doppler echocardiography]

This study verified the usefulness of two-dimensional (2-D) and pulsed Doppler echocardiography (PDE) in the diagnosis of tricuspid stenosis (TS), and estimated the diastolic pressure gradient (PG) across the tricuspid valve (TV). Fifty-two patients with rheumatic mitral stenosis showing a decreased EF slope of the TV less than 40 mm/sec were studied. All patients underwent cardiac catheterization, and the mean diastolic pressure gradients (PG) across the TV were calculated with simultaneous recordings of right atrial and ventricular pressures. Based on surgical findings, all patients were categorized as the TS group consisting of 10 patients with TS (mean PG less than or equal to 5.0 mmHg; seven patients, greater than 5.0 mmHg; three patients), and the non-TS group consisting of 42 patients without TS. In three patients with PG exceeding 5 mmHg, the TV disclosed typical commissural fusions between the leaflets. 1. 2-D echocardiography The diagnosis of TS was made by recording diastolic doming and thickening of the TV in the parasternal long-axis and apical 4-chamber views. Among the 52 patients, 2-DE detected stenosis in all 10 patients with TS, for a sensitivity of 100%, while excluding TS in 40 of 42 patients without TS for a specificity of 95%. 2. Pulsed Doppler echocardiography The transtricuspid flow velocity in diastole was recorded from the apical window.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Estimation of tissue parameters derived from reflected ultrasound

We propose a method of estimating two tissue parameters, that is, the reflection coefficient and attenuation coefficient from the reflected ultrasound for the purpose of improving the resolution of ultrasonic images and obtaining information on tissue characterization. The reflection coefficient is estimated by deconvolution technique using Kalman filter taking into account the distortion of the propagating pulse due to the frequency-dependent attenuation. The attenuation is estimated by adaptive processings based upon the criterion function calculated using estimates of the reflection coefficient. Simulated signals are used to investigate the ability of this method. Additionally, actual reflected signals from soft tissues are processed by the method. The results show that the method can be applied in clinical cases.

[Doppler evaluation of porcine mitral valve dysfunction]

Seventy patients with bioprosthetic mitral valve were examined to study the applicability of the Doppler techniques including pulsed, continuous wave and color Doppler echocardiography in diagnosing and evaluating the severity of prosthetic valve dysfunction. The study population consisted of 70 patients who underwent mitral valve replacement (45 patients with Hancock valve, 13 with Angell-Shiley valve, 10 with Carpentier-Edwards valve). The dysfunctions were transvalvular regurgitation in 20 instances and paravalvular regurgitation in three, all of which were confirmed at surgery. A control group of 47 patients with the normally functioning porcine prosthetic mitral valve were also studied. Diastolic transmitral flow patterns were recorded from parasternal and apical approaches using color Doppler echocardiography, and the direction of the flow was definitely identified on the flow image. Transmitral flow signals spread from the mitral orifice to the mid-portion of the interventricular septum, and its direction was perpendicular toward the mitral ring in all cases. Flow velocity patterns in the left ventricle and atrium were recorded in the apical long-axis view of the left ventricle or apical four-chamber view using pulsed (high pulse repetition frequency) and continuous wave Doppler techniques. Two dynamic alterations in patients with the porcine mitral valve were evaluated from 1) the peak velocity and pressure half time (PHT) of transmitral flow in early diastole, and 2) the regurgitant jet in the left atrium indicating transvalvular or paravalvular regurgitation. The results were as follows: 1. Normally functioning porcine mitral valves were characterized by peak velocities (PV) less than or equal to 1.82 (mean +/- SD 1.44 +/- 0.27) m/sec and PHT less than or equal to 180 (mean +/- SD: 135 +/- 30) msec. In 23 patients with prosthetic valve dysfunction documented at surgery, peak velocity (mean +/- SD 2.23 +/- 0.19 m/sec) was significantly greater (p less than .001) than that of patients in the normally functioning prosthetic valves, and PHT ranged from 135 to 340 msec (mean +/- SD: 226 +/- 81 msec). 2. Among the 23 patients with porcine valve dysfunction, a harmonic striped pattern were recorded at the mitral valve levels in eight patients. All these patients had a musical murmur, and their peak velocity was more than 2.0 m/sec, but the PHT was less than 180 msec in seven patients. In these patients, valvular tears without calcification were confirmed at surgery.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Waveguide-bend configuration with low-loss characteristics

A structure that can reduce abrupt-bend losses in dielectric optical waveguides is proposed. The structure has a relatively low refractive-index region at the outside of the corner; the region operates as a phase-front accelerator of the propagating mode. It has been ascertained by basic experiments that the bending loss of this structure can be significantly reduced from that of the conventional one.