Role of endogenous cholecystokinin in the regeneration of pancreatic tissue after acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis in rats

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of endogenous cholecystokinin (CCK) on pancreatic regeneration after acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis. Acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis was induced in rats by two intraperitoneal cerulein injection (20 micrograms/kg BW) with 5h water-immersion stress once a day for successive 3 days. After the cessation of repetition of acute pancreatitis the rats were treated with successive feeding with 0.1% camostat-containing diet or SC injection of CR-1505 (CCK receptor antagonist, 50 mg/kg BW x 2/day) for 7 days. Zymogen enzymes and protein contents per DNA in pancreatic tissue were significantly higher in rats treated with camostat compared with control rats, and plasma CCK level was elevated. To the contrary, pancreatic regeneration was retarded in the rats treated with CR 1505. It is concluded that endogenous CCK has a trophic effect during regeneration after acute hemorrhagic pancreatitis.

Common antigenicity between Yersinia enterocolitica-derived heat-shock protein and the retina, and its role in uveitis

Yersinia enterocolitica-derived heat-shock protein (HSP60) was recently demonstrated to be associated with certain systemic autoimmune diseases. A role for HSP60 is also suspected in the pathogenesis of some types of uveitis believed to involve autoimmune mechanisms, such as Behçet's disease. We report our results on the role of HSP60 in patients with uveitis. HSP60 was subjected to electrophoresis in immunoblot analysis, and then allowed to react with sera from patients with uveitis in order to detect the presence of anti-HSP60 antibody. Tissue extracts from human and bovine retina were also electrophoresed, and then treated with anti-HSP60 monoclonal antibodies to determine whether or not the antibodies recognized ocular tissues. Immunoblot analysis revealed anti-HSP60 antibodies in patient sera. Furthermore, anti-HSP60 monoclonal antibodies reacted against the 60-kD protein derived from human and bovine retinal extracts. These immunological cross-reactions between HSP60 and the retina demonstrate a common antigenicity. Furthermore, detection of specific antibody against HSP60 in patient sera suggests that this common antigenicity between HSP60 and the retina may be related to the pathogenesis of uveoretinitis in some cases.

Analysis of of the epitopes recognized by mouse monoclonal antibodies directed to Yersinia enterocolitica heat-shock protein 60

To determine amino acid sequences of the epitopes recognized by monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) 3C8 and 5C3 directed against Yersinia enterocolitica heat-shock protein (HSP60), a dot blot analysis was performed using synthesized peptides of Y. enterocolitica HSP60 such as peptides p316-342, p327-359, p340-366, p316-326, p316-321, p319-323, and p321-326 which represent positions of amino acids in Y. enterocolitica HSP60. The dot blot analysis revealed that 5C3 mAb reacted with p316-342, p316-326 and p321-326, and 3C8 mAb p316-342 and p316-326. These results indicate that the epitopes recognized by the mAbs were associated with eleven amino acids, Asp Leu Gly Gln Ala Lys Arg Val Val Ile Asn, of p316-326. The sequence homology between p316-326 of Y. enterocolitica HSP60 and the rest of the HSP60 family suggests that the five amino acids of Lys, Arg, Val, Ile and Asn, which are highly conserved in the HSP60 family, might be related with the epitope recognized by 3C8. In contrast, it was also demonstrated that three amino acids of Leu, Gly and Val, which are not well conserved in the HSP60 family, might be related to the epitope recognized by 5C3.

Theoretical analysis of magnetic field interactions with aortic blood flow

The flow of blood in the presence of a magnetic field gives rise to induced voltages in the major arteries of the central circulatory system. Under certain simplifying conditions, such as the assumption that the length of major arteries (e.g., the aorta) is infinite and that the vessel walls are not electrically conductive, the distribution of induced voltages and currents within these blood vessels can be calculated with reasonable precision. However, the propagation of magnetically induced voltages and currents from the aorta into neighboring tissue structures such as the sinuatrial node of the heart has not been previously determined by any experimental or theoretical technique. In the analysis presented in this paper, a solution of the complete Navier-Stokes equation was obtained by the finite element technique for blood flow through the ascending and descending aortic vessels in the presence of a uniform static magnetic field. Spatial distributions of the magnetically induced voltage and current were obtained for the aortic vessel and surrounding tissues under the assumption that the wall of the aorta is electrically conductive. Results are presented for the calculated values of magnetically induced voltages and current densities in the aorta and surrounding tissue structures, including the sinuatrial node, and for their field-strength dependence. In addition, an analysis is presented of magnetohydrodynamic interactions that lead to a small reduction of blood volume flow at high field levels above approximately 10 tesla (T). Quantitative results are presented on the offsetting effects of oppositely directed blood flows in the ascending and descending aortic segments, and a quantitative estimate is made of the effects of assuming an infinite vs. a finite length of the aortic vessel in calculating the magnetically induced voltage and current density distribution in tissue.

Genotype frequencies of the human platelet antigen, Ca/Tu, in Japanese, determined by a PCR-RFLP method

Recently, the polymorphism of a new human platelet antigen, Ca/Tu, was shown to be derived from a G-A nucleotide substitution at base 1564 of GPIIIa cDNA, which leads to a single amino acid difference, Arg/Gln at amino acid 489 of GPIIIa. We developed a PCR-RFLP method to determine the genotypes of Ca/Tu and their frequencies in a Japanese population. Fifteen Ca/Tua donors comprising 1 Ca/Tu(a/a) homozygous donor and 14 Ca/Tu(a/b) heterozygous donors were found among the 314 random donors analyzed. The frequencies of Ca/Tu genes were 0.025 (Ca/Tua) and 0.975 (Ca/Tu(b)). The present study showed that the frequency of Ca/Tua individuals in the Japanese (15/314) was approximately 7-fold higher than in the Finnish population (1/150) previously reported by Kekomäki et al. Therefore, attention must be given to the involvement of the Ca/Tu alloantigen in neonatal alloimmune thrombocytopenia and the refractoriness of platelet transfusion.

Amyloid beta protein in rat soleus muscle in chloroquine-induced myopathy using end-specific antibodies for A beta 40 and A beta 42: immunohistochemical evidence for amyloid beta protein

Previous immunohistochemical studies from this laboratory demonstrated that monoclonal antibodies raised against various regions of amyloid precursor protein (APP) (i.e., N-terminus, amyloid beta protein (A beta), and C-terminus) strongly labeled vacuoles in chloroquine-induced myopathy-affected muscle in rats. In this study, we used antibodies end specific for the A beta 40 and A beta 42 species, and a monoclonal antibody to A beta 1-9 which reacts with APP and A beta. Most vacuoles clearly reacted with anti-A beta 1-9, while about half reacted with anti-A beta 42, and only a few reacted with anti-A beta 40. These results demonstrate that vacuoles in chloroquine-induced myopathy-affected muscle contain cleaved A beta, and that distribution of the two major A beta species is similar to what is observed in A beta deposition in Alzheimer's disease (AD)-affected brain. This provides further evidence that chloroquine-induced myopathy in rats provides a suitable model to understand APP processing into A beta, and the role of APP in terms of the pathogenesis of AD.

The comparison of epidural fentanyl, epidural lidocaine, and intravenous fentanyl in patients undergoing gastrectomy

This study was conducted prospectively to compare the effect of epidural fentanyl (EP-F), epidural lidocaine (EP-L), and intravenous fentanyl (IV-F) on hemodynamic and hormonal responses to surgery and postoperative analgesic requirement in 30 patients undergoing gastrectomy during isoflurane anesthesia. An epidural catheter was placed via the T8-9 interspace. Group EP-F received fentanyl 2 micrograms/kg in 10 mL saline, and Group EP-L, 10 mL 1.5% lidocaine, epidurally; Group IV-F was given fentanyl, 2 micrograms/kg, IV. Fifty percent of the original dose was repeated every hour. Hemodynamic data and plasma hormonal levels were compared between those before and those at 1 h after skin incision. The total number of analgesic administrations within the first 48 h postoperatively were compared. Group EP-L developed more frequent episodes of hypotension. Group IV-F required higher isoflurane concentrations and the plasma epinephrine levels increased more than in Groups EP-F and EP-L. In Groups EP-L and IV-F, the plasma antidiuretic hormone (ADH) level increased more than in Group EP-F. In Groups EP-F and IV-F, the plasma cortisol and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels increased more than in Group EP-L. The use of postoperative analgesics was significantly less in Group EP-F. In conclusion, in Group EP-F, attenuated hormonal responses to surgery was accompanied with less hypotension and postoperative analgesic requirements were reduced.

Changes in apolipoproteins during the acute phase of Kawasaki disease

To determine disturbances of lipid metabolism in patients with Kawasaki disease, we investigated changes in the serum levels of apolipoproteins and serum lipids. Results were as follows. Total serum cholesterol (TC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) decreased during the early stage of Kawasaki disease. The apo A-I and A-II levels were low until the 2nd week of illness. Apo B decreased during the 1st week of illness, but rose slightly during the 2nd and 3rd weeks. The apo B/apo A-I ratio and the apo B/TC ratio were high in the early stages of illness. The group of patients with coronary artery lesions showed low levels of TC and HDL-C, and low levels of apo A-I, A-II and B during the early stages, compared with the group without coronary artery lesions. The apo B/TC ratio was significantly higher in the patients with coronary artery lesions during the 2nd week of illness. Our findings suggest an association between changes in serum lipids and apolipoproteins and coronary artery involvement in Kawasaki disease. These abnormalities may indicate the presence of early coronary arteriosclerosis.

Thermostable peroxidase activity with a recombinant antibody L chain-porphyrin Fe(III) complex

In order to engineer a new type of catalytic antibody, we attempt to use a monoclonal antibody L chain as a host protein for a porphyrin. TCPP (meso-tetrakis(4-carboxyphenyl)porphyine) was chemically synthesized and Balb/c mice were immunized using TCPP as a hapten. Two hybridoma cells (03-1, 13-1), that produce monoclonal antibody against TCPP, were obtained. Genes for both H and L chains of monoclonal antibodies were cloned, sequenced and overexpressed using E. coli as a host. ELISA and fluorescence quenching method show that the independent antibody L chains from both Mab03-1 and Mab13-1 have specific interaction with TCPP. Furthermore, the recombinant antibody L chain from Mab13-1 exhibits much higher peroxidase activity than TCPP Fe(III) alone. The enzyme activity was detectable with pyrogallol and ABTS (2,2-azinobis-3-ethylbenzthiazolin-6-sulfonic acid) but not with catechol. This new catalytic antibody was extremely thermostable. Optimum temperature of the peroxidase reaction by the complex of 13-1L chain and TCPP Fe(III) was 90 degrees C, while that the TCPP Fe(III) alone was 60 degrees C.

Changes in oral functions and posture at rest following surgical orthodontic treatment and myofunctional therapy. Evaluation by means of video recording

Fifteen adult patients with skeletal mandibular prognathism or openbite underwent surgical and orthodontic treatment, then received myofunctional therapy. Cephalograms, facial photographs and oral models were taken on each patient. Patients were then videotaped, frontally and laterally. Observations were made of forty different oral behaviors and oral rest posture. Changes in morphology, speech, and swallowing are described and evaluated.

Flow cytometric analysis using lipophilic dye PKH-2 for adhesion of Vibrio cholerae to Intestine 407 cells

A comparative study of indirect and direct flow cytometric analysis for adherence of Vibrio cholerae to Intestine 407 cells was performed. The direct flow cytometric analysis employed the lipophilic dye PKH-2. It was concluded that direct flow cytometry using the lipophilic dye PKH-2 is useful and convenient for analyzing bacterium-host cell interactions, since it does not require any specific antibody as the first antibody.

Synthesis of novel oligosaccharides from leucrose by an alpha-glucosidase

An alpha-glucosidase was purified in an electrophoretically pure state from an extract of koji culture of Aspergillus sp. KT-11. This enzyme was found to have a transferring activity when the reaction was done in a high concentration of leucrose at pH 4.5. Two kinds of transfer products, fractions I and II, were obtained from leucrose by the enzyme and they were identified as [(alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-D- glucopyranosyl-(1-->5)-D-fructopyranose] and [alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->6)-alpha-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->5)-D- fructopyranose], respectively. These are considered to be novel oligosaccharides.

Myocardial recovery during post-ischemic reperfusion: optimal concentrations of Na+ and Ca2+ in the reperfusate and protective effects of amiloride added to cardioplegic solution

The effects of Na+ and Ca2+ concentrations in the reperfusate on post-ischemic myocardial recovery were examined. Also, the myocardial protective effects of amiloride, an inhibitor of the Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/H+ exchange systems, added to cardioplegic solutions were assessed, using an isolated working rat heart perfusion system. Global myocardial ischemia was induced by 30-min normothermic cardioplegic arrest, using St. Thomas' solution. The concentration of Na+ in the reperfusate varied, stepwise, from 75 to 145 mM/l, and that of Ca2+, from 0.1 to 2.5 mM/l. In this study post-ischemic functional recovery was best at 110mM/l Na+ and 1.2-1.8 mM/l Ca2+ in the reperfusate. A significantly greater post-ischemic functional recovery and a lower creatine kinase release were observed when amiloride was added to the cardioplegic solution. Ca2+ overload via Na+/Ca2+ and Na+/H+ exchange systems would, thus, appear to be due, at least in part, to post-ischemic reperfusion injury.

Purification and characterization of angiotensin II degradation factor from porcine endothelial cells

We investigated the degradation of angiotensin II by vascular endothelial cells and smooth muscle cells in vitro. When angiotensin II was incubated with confluent culture of endothelial cells or with serum free conditioned medium of the endothelial cells, angiotensin II was destroyed rapidly. When angiotensin II was incubated with cultured vascular smooth muscle cells or their serum free conditioned medium, degradation was not observed. To identify the angiotensin II degradation factor (ADF), we have purified ADF from the conditioned medium of endothelial cells, by column chromatographies, i.e., hydroxyapatite, ion exchange and gel filtration chromatography. The partially purified ADF had apparent molecular masses of 154 kDa on gel filtration chromatography. Its pH optimum was about 7.0. ADF was inhibited by p-chloromercuribenzoic acid, iodoacetamide and high concentration of EDTA, but not by diisopropyl fluorophosphate, bestatin, amastatin or pepstatin A. Of the synthetic substrates examined, ADF degrades human angiotensin II, [Val5]-angiotensin II and [Asn1, Val5]-angiotensin II. It did not degrade angiotensin I.

A hotspot of spontaneous and UV-induced illegitimate recombination during formation of lambda bio transducing phage

To study the mechanism of spontaneous and UV-induced illegitimate recombination, we examined the formation of the lambda bio specialized transducing phage in Escherichia coli. Because most lambda bio transducing phages have double defects in the red and gam genes and have the capacity to form a plaque on an E. coli P2 lysogen (Spi- phenotype), we selected lambda bio transducing phage by their Spi- phenotype, rather than using the bio marker. We determined sequences of recombination junctions of lambda bio transducing phages isolated with or without UV irradiation and deduced sequences of parental recombination sites. The recombination sites were widely distributed on E. coli bio and lambda DNAs, except for a hotspot which accounts for 57% of UV-induced lambda bio transducing phages and 77% of spontaneously induced lambda bio transducing phages. The hotspot sites on E. coli and lambda DNAs shared a short homology of 9 bp. In addition, we detected direct repeat sequences of 8 bp within and near both the bio and lambda hotspots. A recA mutation did not affect the frequency of the recombination at the hotspot, indicating that this recombination is not a variant of recA-dependent homologous recombination. We discuss a model in which the short homology as well as the direct repeats play essential roles in illegitimate recombination at the hotspot.

[Cardiac sarcoidosis with myopathy and advanced A-V nodal block in a woman with a previous diagnosis of sarcoidosis]

In 1992, a 49-year-old woman was admitted to the hospital because of exertional dyspnea. Three years earlier sarcoidosis had been diagnosed, and the patient was found to have bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy. The eye, skin, and knee joint were also involved. During the second hospital stay, atrial flutter with advanced A-V nodal block, scattered defects on a 201T1 scintigram, and marked cardiomegaly on chest roentgenogram led to the diagnosis of cardiac sarcoidosis. Signs and symptoms of cardiac failure subsided after placement of an artificial cardiac pacemaker, but the patient still complained of mild muscle weakness in the lower extremities on exertion. 67Ga scintigraphy revealed marked accumulation in the lower extremities, and muscle biopsy of the left gastrocnemius revealed numerous epithelioid cell granulomas with muscle fiber degeneration. Oral corticosteroid therapy was effective. A review of the 24 cases of sarcoid myopathy reported in Japan indicated that the male-to-female ratio is 1:3.8. As compared to patients in whom myopathy led to the diagnosis of sarcoidosis, those in whom myopathy developed after sarcoidosis was diagnosed were (1) relatively older, (2) more likely to have multiple organ involvement, and (3) more likely to have cardiac sarcoidosis. Corticosteroids were beneficial in about three quarters of these 16 cases, who received corticosteroid therapy.

Protective effect of nitric oxide on development of acute pancreatitis in rats

Nitric oxide (NO) has been implicated to regulate pancreatic circulation, promote capillary integrity, and inhibit leukocyte adhesion. We investigated the role of NO in the development of pancreatitis. Nitro-L-arginine, an inhibitor of NO synthase, in total dose of 35 mg/kg body wt was infused in the rats with edematous pancreatitis induced by two intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (20 micrograms/kg). L-Arginine (125 or 250 mg/kg), a NO donor was intravenously administered twice in the rats with hemorrhagic pancreatitis induced by water-immersion stress plus two intraperitoneal injections of cerulein (40 micrograms/kg). The degree of pancreas edema, serum amylase levels, and histologic alterations were investigated. Nitro-L-arginine exacerbated cerulein-induced pancreatitis and caused a decrease in pancreatic blood flow. L-Arginine ameliorated the severity of hemorrhagic pancreatitis dose dependently and improved the pancreatic blood flow. These findings suggest that NO could confer protection against the development of hemorrhagic pancreatitis, probably through improvement of the pancreatic microcirculation.

Short-term topical therapy of experimental tinea pedis in guinea pigs with lanoconazole, a new imidazole antimycotic agent

The therapeutic efficacy of short-term treatment with a 1% cream of lanoconazole, a new imidazole antimycotic agent, in comparison with that of a 1% cream of terbinafine was evaluated in the guinea pig model of tinea pedis. Each agent was topically applied once a day for 3 or 7 consecutive days, starting on day 10 postinfection, and a culture study was conducted on day 5 after the last treatment with each agent. The 1% cream of lanoconazole was as highly effective as the 1% cream of terbinafine in terms of eradicating the fungi from the infected feet.

Amyloid beta peptide induces cytoplasmic accumulation of amyloid protein precursor via tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta in rat hippocampal neurons

Exogenous application of synthetic amyloid beta protein (A beta) is known to induce neurotoxic effects in rat hippocampal culture. We report here that A beta (25-35) induces accumulation of amyloid precursor protein (APP) derivatives in the cytoplasm of neurons. At the same time, the level of the secreted form of APP released into the culture medium decreases. Tau protein kinase I/glycogen synthase kinase-3 beta (TPK I/GSK-3 beta) antisense oligonucleotide blocked APP accumulation and prevented neuronal death. These results provide evidence that APP accumulation after A beta treatment is regulated by TPK I/GSK-3 beta. A beta neurotoxicity is probably mediated via phosphorylation of tau by TPK I/GSK-3 beta, resulting in an impairment of axonal transport, and cytoplasmic accumulation of APP.

Two novel rat guanylin molecules, guanylin-94 and guanylin-16, do not increase cyclic GMP production in T84 cells

Guanylin, a 15-amino acid peptide homologue of bacterial heat-stable enterotoxins, is an endogenous activator of guanylate cyclase C (GC-C). We isolated two novel guanylin molecules from rat intestinal mucosa. They contained guanylin-15 at their C-termini and were identified as guanylin-94 and guanylin-16 by amino acid sequencing and mass spectrometry. Guanylin-94 and guanylin-16 in total account for 85% of guanylin molecules in both the small and large intestine, guanylin-15 being a minor component. Rat guanylin-94 and guanylin-16 did not increase cyclic GMP production in T84 cells. Identification of the post-translational processing products of guanylin should provide a better understanding of the biosynthesis of the peptide.

Maximum sustained fin-kick thrust in underwater swimming

We examined the upper limit of a diver's fin-kick thrust force using a stationary-swimming ergometer. Heart rate, respiratory minute volume, oxygen uptake, and performance rate were measured in four male subjects who swam constantly for 8 min to maintain a horizontal position against an applied force at a depth of 0.7 m. The water temperature was controlled at 26 degrees +/- 1 degree C. The performance rate, which was the parameter of how well the subjects compensated for the applied load, showed an upper limit around 64 N of sustainable thrust force. This meant that the diver could generate the swimming thrust force within 64 N continuously for 8 min in a steady state. Heart rate, respiratory minute volume, and O2 uptake showed almost proportional increases to the applied load within 64 N and tended to plateau about 69 N.