Acceleration of bovine neurofilament L assembly by deprivation of acidic tail domain

Functions of the tail region of neurofilament L have, to date, not been clearly elucidated. Bovine neurofilament L was cleaved into tail-less neurofilament L (50 kDa) and a tail fragment (19 kDa), by thrombin. Tail-less neurofilament L was deficit of the highly acidic domain of the tail region (approximately 77% of the entire region). Assembly of tail-less neurofilament L. was observed to be accelerated by both fluorometric and centrifugal measurements, compared with intact neurofilament L. The critical concentration of tail-less neurofilament L, which constitutes the constant unassembled pool, was approximately 0.25-times lower than that of neurofilament L. Under physiological conditions, tail-less neurofilament L formed a ribbon-like structure, whereas tail-less neurofilament L could form 10-nm filaments in an extremely low ionic-strength buffer in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2. An affinity-purified antibody directed against the tail fragment also accelerated neurofilament L assembly. The tail fragment neither coassembled with neurofilament L nor affect neurofilament L assembly. The acidic domain of the tail region may regulate neurofilament assembly and may be involved in 10-nm filament formation under physiological conditions.

[A unilateral large demyelinating lesion in the cerebral white matter with slowly progressive hemiplegia and intrathecal JC virus antibody production]

A 59-year-old male patient presented in 1991 with left-sided hemiplegia and hemihypesthesia and left homonymous hemianopsia, which had developed for the preceding 12 months. The cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) level of protein was mildly elevated, oligoclonal IgG band was initially negative, but finally positive and myelin basic protein was absent. Magnetic resonance imaging and X-ray computed tomography (CT) of the brain revealed a unilateral demarcated lesion extending around the posterior horn and triagular part of the right lateral ventricle, apparently capped by remarkably gadolinium enhancement at its front, which had no mass effect, and several small isolated plaques were also observed in other areas of the brain. All lesions appeared as high intensity areas on T2 weighted images and hypodense areas on CT. The JC virus hemagglutination-inhibition antibody titers were 1:32 in serum and 1:8 in CSF; the antibody titer ratio and index both suggested an intrathecal antibody production. Pathological examination of brain biopsy specimen taken from the large lesion demonstrated profound demyelination with preservation of axons, a large number of macrophages and spotted perivascular lymphocyte cuffings. Based on this experience, we discussed the features in this case which differentiated it from multiple sclerosis, leukodystrophy and typical progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML). Diffuse-disseminated sclerosis or transitional sclerosis was most likely so far as the clinical picture, imaging and histology were concerned. However, we implicated the possible involvement of JC virus infection to the etio-pathogenesis of the demyelinating lesions in view of the intrathecal JC virus antibody production in CSF observed in this case.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Neuropathologic changes in the gerbil brain after chronic hypoperfusion

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

An animal model has been developed to elucidate the pathological changes in brain cytoskeletal proteins during chronic hypoperfusion.

METHODS

Newly designed coiled clips were placed around both carotid arteries of Mongolian gerbils (n = 10) to cause stenosis without occlusion. Those gerbils showing impaired learning ability by the passive avoidance paradigm were killed for neuropathologic study after 12 weeks.

RESULTS

The brains showed ventricular dilatation, cortical atrophy, and rarefaction of the white matter. Immunoreactivity to anti-microtubule-associated protein 2 antibody in the cerebral cortex and the hippocampus was diminished, indicating dendritic changes of neurons. In the thalamic axonal regions, staining with anti-neurofilament 200K protein antibody was increased, suggesting increased amounts of neurofilament proteins or increased phosphorylation of the protein. Increased immunoreactivity to anti-glial fibrillary acidic protein antibody was observed in a wedge-shaped configuration, corresponding to the border zone of perfusion by small vessels.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest that changes in the cytoskeletal proteins in dendrites, axons, and glial cells may cause neuronal death under conditions of chronic cerebral hypoperfusion.

Thymic nurse cell clone supports the differentiation of CD4-8- thymocytes into CD4+8+ thymocytes in vitro

A previously reported thymic nurse cell clone, TNC-R3.1 could form a unique complex with isolated adult mouse CD4-8- (DN) thymocytes and greatly sustained the cell viability of DN thymocytes in suspension culture. In addition, the TNC-R3.1 clone supported the differentiation of DN thymocytes into CD4+8+ (DP) thymocytes in a short-term culture. Addition of IL-7 into the coculture markedly enhanced DN thymocyte-TNC interaction and induced the proliferation and differentiation of DN thymocytes, though IL-7 alone did not induce the differentiation of DN thymocytes. Separation of DN thymocytes from TNC-R3.1 monolayer using a Millicell caused a great inhibition of the DN thymocyte differentiation, suggesting that direct contact between TNC-R3.1 cells and immature thymocytes was required for the differentiation of DN thymocytes. The kinetics study demonstrated that DN thymocytes started to differentiate into DP thymocytes through CD3-CD4+J11d+ intermediate cells 8-12 h after the initiation of the culture with TNC-R3.1 plus IL-7. The generation of DP thymocytes became maximal 20 h after coculture and gradually decreased thereafter. Furthermore, we demonstrated that TNC-R3.1 could support the differentiation of CD3+CD4+CD8- or CD3+CD4-CD8+ thymocytes from CD3-CD4-CD8- thymocytes in the presence of IL-7 and IL-2. These data indicate that our established in vitro culture system mimics the early stage of the intrathymic T cell developing pathway.

Malignant schwannoma arising in a paranasal sinus

A case of malignant schwannoma arising in a paranasal sinus is reported. In this case, histological hallmarks were lost because of the poorly differentiated nature of the tumour. Immunohistological techniques were applied to the diagnosis, confirming the neural origin of this tumour. Malignant schwannoma is a relatively rare disease in the nasal cavity and paranasal sinuses. For the treatment of this tumour, wide resection is recommended. In this patient, radical resection of the maxilla with orbital and ethmoid exenteration was performed. The patient recovered uneventfully with no evidence of disease three years after surgery.

[Detection of myocardial damage in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy using ultrafast CT]

The myocardial characteristics of DCM patients were investigated by ultrafast CT (UFCT), left ventriculography (LVG) and T1 myocardial scintigraphy (SCINTI). Late enhancement, focal wall thinning and intramyocardial fatty components were detected as focal abnormal findings by UFCT. The regions of asynergy detected by LVG and perfusion defect detected by SCINTI were well correlated with those of focal abnormal findings detected by UFCT. There were significant differences between patients with and without focal abnormal findings, in ejection fraction and end-diastolic pressure of left ventricle and the incidence of ventricular arrhythmia. It is possible that these focal abnormal findings represented focal ischemic myocardial damage in DCM patients. DCM patients were divided into two different functional groups by UFCT findings.

Magnetic resonance imaging of pericardial malignant mesothelioma

Magnetic resonance imaging of pericardial malignant mesothelioma in two patients is reported. Magnetic resonance imaging clearly depicted the tumor location and expansion, and was useful in delineating the anatomic extent of pericardial malignant mesothelioma.

[Extension of functional limitation for surgery of lung cancer by unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test]

We performed unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test to determine the indication for lung resection functionally, and investigated 32 cases whose total pulmonary vascular resistance was over 700 dyne.sec.cm-5/M2. Thirteen out of 32 cases underwent surgery. There was no difference in lung function tests between surgical and non-surgical cases. Nine out of 12 cases whose pulmonary vascular resistance was less than 800 dyne by unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test underwent surgery, and none of these cases died within 3 months after surgery. In non-surgical cases, two were aged patients and one had chronic renal failure. Four out of 20 cases whose total pulmonary vascular resistance was over 800 dyne underwent surgery. Two cases that underwent surgery died within 3 months after surgery. These results suggest that the functional limitation of lung resection can be extended from 700 dyne.sec.cm-5/M2 to 800 dyne.sec.cm-5/M2 total pulmonary vascular resistance by application of unilateral pulmonary arterial occlusion test.

Immunohistochemical study of superoxide dismutase in the olfactory mucosa

We used an anti-copper, zinc-superoxide dismutase (Cu,Zn-SOD) antibody in an immunohistochemical investigation of the distribution of SOD in the mouse olfactory mucosa. We also investigated differential staining with this antibody in comparison with an antibody specific to carnosine, a marker of mature olfactory cells. Mouse olfactory mucosa were immunostained with the ABC method with anti-SOD and anti-carnosine antibodies. When anti-SOD antibody was used, the sustentacular cells were positive in the olfactory region, whereas the olfactory cells were negative. In the respiratory region, the columnar epithelial cells were positive, whereas goblet cells were negative. The olfactory cells, olfactory vesicles and axons showed positive staining with anti-carnosine antibody, whereas the sustentacular and basal cells were negative.

[Evaluation of the safety and clinical usefulness of a new myocardial imaging agent, 99mTc-PPN1011--multicenter phase II clinical trial report]

A new myocardial perfusion imaging agent, 99mTc-1,2-bis[bis(2-ethoxyethyl phosphino]ethane (99mTc-PPN1011) was administered to 52 patients with various heart diseases each at rest and peak exercise on different days (Method A) and on the same day (Method B). The safety, optimal dosage, imaging procedures and the clinical usefulness were evaluated. No drug related adverse reactions were found. Image quality was considered adequate for diagnosis with as little as 185 MBq per injection, though the optimal dose range was 370-740 MBq. SPECT images were obtainable as early as 10 min, also until 3 hours after injection. There were no significant differences in clinical efficacy between method A and B, as well as sequential tests at rest and exercise. 99mTc-PPN1011 and 201T1 images in the same patient were compared segment by segment. Image quality of 99mTc-PPN1011 was significantly superior to that of 201T1. Analysis of images indicated that both agent were similar in diagnostic efficacy. It was concluded that 99mTc-PPN1011 is useful for myocardial perfusion imaging.

Scales for mental state and daily living activities for the elderly: clinical behavioral scales for assessing demented patients

In the diagnosis, treatment, and care of dementia patients in the senile stage, comprehensive evaluation of ability in daily life and mental function is needed. Using a simple behavioral rating scale for the mental states (NM scale) and activities of daily living (N-ADL) of the elderly, we evaluated 250 elderly subjects. According to the NM scale, the scores for subjects in whom the severity was clinically diagnosed were as follows: normal, 50-48; borderline, 47-43; mild dementia, 42-31; moderate dementia, 30-17; and severe dementia, 16-0. Screening for dementia and determining its severity were readily accomplished using the NM scale, and basic activities in the daily life of the elderly could be evaluated effectively using the N-ADL. There was a significant correlation (r = 0.863) between the Hasegawa dementia scale and the NM scale (p < 0.001), a significant correlation (r = -0.947) between intellectual function scores of the GBS scale and the NM scale, and a significant correlation (r = 0.944) between motor function score of the GBS scale and the N-ADL score. Evaluations of daily life activities can be made not only by psychiatrists and clinical psychologists, but by nonspecialists as well, because they are based on data obtained by observation of daily life behaviors; thus, assessment is appropriate both in clinical settings and in places of living.

Long-term indwelling bilateral ureteral stents for bilateral hydronephrosis of unknown etiology

We describe a rare case of long-term indwelling bilateral ureteral stents that were replaced yearly for 7 years because of azotemia associated with bilateral hydronephrosis of undetermined etiology on radiological examinations. During year 5 the patient had an uneventful gestation with delivery of a normal neonate by cesarean section. Hydronephrosis remained improved for 2 years after withdrawal of the stents.

Transcription of mouse ribosomal RNA gene with inactive extracts is activated by NAD+ in vitro

S100 extract prepared from rapidly growing mouse FM3A cells (approx. 5 x 10(5) cells/ml) transcribed ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) much more actively in vitro than that from stationary phase cells (1-2 x 10(6) cells/ml). When the inactive S100 extract was preincubated with NAD+, rDNA transcriptional activity was restored almost to the level of the active extract. The extract activated with NAD+ exhibited a gel-shift band in the gel mobility shift assay and enhancement of protection of the sequence between -44 and -8 nt from the initiation site from exonuclease III digestion. Such an extract labeled with [32P]NAD+ was analyzed by immunoprecipitation with anti-RNA polymerase I (pol I) antibody; a protein with M(r) 130 kDa was detected. In contrast, the polypeptide was hardly labeled in the active extract. 3-Aminobenzamide, a specific inhibitor of poly ADP-ribosylation, did not inhibit the activation by NAD+. These results suggest that the activation by NAD+ is due to enhancement of the formation of initiation complex by mono ADP-ribosylation of the second-largest subunit (130 kDa) of pol I.

Intraarterial lymphocyte-injection therapy for lymphedema of the leg: an examination using indium-111 oxine labeled autologous lymphocytes

A 58-year-old female patient with lymphedema of the left leg was treated by repeated intraarterial lymphocyte-injection therapy. To elucidate whether the injected lymphocytes act at the affected site of the leg, we examined the distribution of the In-111 oxine labeled lymphocytes injected into the proximal artery to the affected leg in comparison with the distribution in the other, healthy, leg. The radioactivity of the affected leg was almost two times higher than that of the healthy leg during the first 30 min after injection, and it remained higher even after 24 hours. The circumference of the affected leg of the patient decreased steadily during her hospital stay. These results, together with the clinical findings, suggest that some of the intraarterially-injected lymphocytes remained in the affected leg at least 24 hours and might play some role in reducing the volume of lymphedematous fluid.

[Metabolite of 15-p-iodophenyl-3(R,S)-pentadecanoic acid (123I) in blood and urine]

We analyzed metabolites of 123I-BMIPP in blood and urine using rats, rabbits and human, while human samples were obtained from normal volunteers of Phase I clinical study. We estimated metabolic pathway of 123I-BMIPP as a myocardial metabolic imaging agent. Radioactivity accumulated in heart after administration gradually decreased and was mainly excreted to bladder via kidneys. The main radioactive component in blood was 123I-PIPA for any species and the urinary components were metabolic conjugates of 123I-PIPA. As results of these studies, we considered that 123I-BMIPP was metabolized to 123I-PIPA by alpha-oxidation process for the first step, follow by beta-oxidation process, then 123I-PIPA was released to blood from tissues. Moreover, 123I-PIPA in blood was conjugated with other compounds and excreted to the bladder.

Assembly regulatory domain of glial fibrillary acidic protein. A single phosphorylation diminishes its assembly-accelerating property

Phosphorylation of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) induces disassembly of the filaments. An amino-terminal fragment of bovine GFAP (G-Hf) was produced by lysylendopeptidase digestion. G-Hf formed ribbon-like filaments in the presence of GFAP even in low ionic strength, whereas the fragment itself did not form any structures. Only one (PK3) of the five V8 protease fragments of G-Hf accelerated GFAP assembly to the same degree as G-Hf did, whereas the other fragments did not. When PK3 was cleaved into two fragments, it lost the assembly-accelerating property. The sequence of PK3 was determined as RRRVTSATRRSYVSSSE, which corresponded to residues 3-19 of porcine GFAP. It was concluded that PK3 contains a sequence indispensable for GFAP assembly and that neither PK1 (RRRVTS) nor PK2 (ATRRSYVSSSE) included all of the sequence. A single phosphorylation of PK3 by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase diminished its assembly-accelerating property. The phosphorylation site was determined as Ser-12 of porcine GFAP. It was shown that single phosphorylation of the amino-terminal head domain, which contains an indispensable sequence for GFAP assembly, might be sufficient for GFAP disassembly.

Favorable biodistribution of 99mTc-ECD for brain SPECT comparing with 123I-IMP using alternative body scan

In order to evaluate the lung and brain uptake of 99mTc ethyl cysteinate dimer (99mTc-ECD) and N-isopropyl-p-[123I]-iodoamphetamine (123I-IMP), alternative body scans were carried out in 15 cases of cerebrovascular disease. The biodistribution of 99mTc-ECD was 5.5 +/- 0.7%, 3.8 +/- 0.7% in the brain; 13.1 +/- 3.7%, 2.2 +/- 1.2%, in the lung at 15 min and at 4 hours, respectively, whereas that of 123I-IMP was 3.9 +/- 1.4%, 5.0 +/- 1.0% in the brain; 32.2 +/- 7.6%, 12.7 +/- 3.3%, in the lung at 15 min and at 4 hours, respectively. 99mTc-ECD accumulated in comparatively high amounts in the brain but remained low in the lung in the early image compared to 123I-IMP. However there was a high inverse correlation between brain and lung uptake of 123I-IMP (r = -0.82), but not of 99mTc-ECD (r = -0.18). We concluded that 99mTc-ECD had a better biodistribution in terms of low lung accumulation than 123I-IMP in brain SPECT.

[Mycoplasma pneumoniae respiratory tract infection prevailing among infants at a nursery school]

Mycoplasma pneumoniae (M. pneumoniae) infection in infants had been considered to be very rare, but recently some clinical cases have been reported. We experienced an epidemic of M. pneumoniae infection in a nursery school, and compared M. pneumoniae infection in infants with that in preschool and school children to investigate the features of infantile M. pneumoniae infection. We obtained the following clinical findings in 15 infantile patients with M. pneumoniae infection: The maximum body temperature scarcely increased to 38.5 degrees C or more and the period of high temperature and cough was shorter in infant patients than in preschool and school aged patients. Stridor occurred in 4 patients but skin disorder was not observed. In the laboratory findings, the white blood cell count tended to increase with no changes in neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio and CRP increased slightly. M. pneumoniae antibody was negative in all the patients except 3 and old hemagglutination tests were positive in only 4 patients. The chest X-ray examinations showed a mild increase in the hilar shadow. However, the sequentially located homogeneous shadow which is commonly seen in preschool and school aged patients was not detected. M. pneumoniae antibody scarcely increased in infantile patients but M. pneumoniae was isolated by throat culture from 14 of the 15 patients who were diagnosed as having M. pneumoniae infection.

[Laser photocoagulation of experimentally produced choroidal neovascularization. 2. Comparison of effects by dye and argon blue-green lasers]

Choroidal neovascularization was produced in 18 eyes of 12 rhesus monkeys by application of intense krypton laser photocoagulation. Eight weeks or later, a total of 34 choroidal neovascularizations were treated either by dye laser at wavelengths of 577 or 630 nm or by argon blue-green laser. The treated lesions were evaluated clinically and histopathologically from 24 hours to 3 months after treatment. All the treated lesions were apparently healed by each of the 3 laser modalities. Histopathologically, all the treated choroidal neovascularizations were occluded 24 hours after treatment. At 2 weeks to 3 months after treatment, newly-formed choroidal vessels were present in 3 of 9 lesions (33%) after 577 nm dye laser treatment, in 8 of 9 lesions (89%) after 630 nm dye laser treatment, and in 5 of 8 lesions (62%) after argon blue-green laser. These results seemed to show the clinical superiority of 577 nm dye laser in treating choroidal neovascularization.

[Influence of hypertensive left ventricular hypertrophy on detection of ischemic area with exercise thallium-201 myocardial scintigraphy]

Sixty-four patients with single left anterior descending artery disease having effort angina (group A: 40 patients without hypertension, group B: 10 patients with hypertrophic hypertension, group C: 14 patients with non-hypertrophic hypertension) were assessed the influence of hypertensive left ventricular (LV) hypertrophy on detection of ischemic area. The criterion of hypertrophy by two-dimensional echocardiography was > 12 mm in the wall thickness of interventricular septal or posterior wall. Population in Group B might show low detectability in ischemic area by 201Tl myocardial scintigraphy (positive thallium rate 60%, defect score 2.7 +/- 3.6), and high lung thallium uptake and high frequence of ECG positive among three groups. In semiquantitative analysis, the washout rate of the posterolateral wall and %RD (delayed %uptake-initial %uptake) of the septal wall in patients with Group B were lowest among three groups. However, the washout rate in the septal wall against the posterior wall, and the initial %uptake and the delayed %uptake of the septal wall were not significantly different among three groups. We could conclude that the decreased washout rate in nonischemic area with hypertensive LV hypertrophy might make the ischemic area masked.

[Laboratory and clinical studies of cefprozil in pediatric field]

Laboratory and clinical studies were done on cefprozil (CFPZ, BMY-28100). The results are summarized as follows. CFPZ was administered through the oral route to 2 children at a single dose of 7.5 mg/kg. After administration, peak serum levels of CFPZ obtained in the 2 cases were 6.71 micrograms/ml at 1 hour and 6.45 micrograms/ml at 2 hours, respectively and half-lives were 1.28 hours and 0.92 hour, respectively. The urinary excretion rates of CFPZ were 58.9% and 59.4%, respectively. Treatment with CFPZ was made in 37 cases of pediatric bacterial infections: 1 case of pharyngitis, 16 cases of tonsillitis, 16 cases of scarlet fever, 3 cases of impetigo, 1 case of UTI. Results obtained were excellent in 24 cases, good in 13 cases. No significant side effects due to the drug were observed, except 1 case of loose stool, 3 cases of eosinophilia, and 1 case each of elevated GOT and GPT.

Guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate regulates calcium channels in neurones of rabbit vesical pelvic ganglia

1. The effects of dibutyryl guanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (db-cyclic GMP) were studied in vitro on calcium channels of neurones in rabbit vesical parasympathetic ganglia, using intracellular and single-electrode voltage-clamp recordings. 2. Db-cyclic GMP (100 microM) caused membrane depolarization associated with a decrease in membrane input resistance and an after-hyperpolarization associated with an increase in membrane input resistance. 3. Db-cyclic GMP (0.01-1 mM) caused a concentration-dependent, transient inward current followed by a long-lasting outward current. Membrane conductance was increased and decreased during the inward and outward currents, respectively. 4. The db-cyclic GMP-induced inward current was depressed in nominally calcium-free solutions, by cobalt (1 mM) and nicardipine (10 microM). The mean reversal potentials of the inward current were +42 and -20 mV in the presence and absence of calcium in the external solution, respectively. 5. The db-cyclic GMP-induced inward current was not altered by lowering the external sodium concentration, raising external potassium concentration or by intracellular injection of caesium. 6. A calcium-insensitive component of the db-cyclic GMP-induced current was increased by lowering the external chloride concentration and blocked by 4-acetamido-4'-isothiocyanostilbene-2,2'-disulphonic acid, a chloride channel blocker. 7. Voltage-dependent, high-threshold calcium currents were depressed during the db-cyclic GMP-induced inward current and facilitated during the outward current. 8. Cyclic GMP was less potent than db-cyclic GMP in causing both inward and outward currents or modulation of calcium currents. GTP, GDP, GMP, guanosine, 8-bromoadenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate and forskolin did not alter the holding current or voltage-dependent calcium currents. 9. It is concluded that intracellular cyclic GMP causes not only activation of resting calcium and chloride channels but also a transient depression followed by long-lasting facilitation of voltage-dependent calcium currents in neurones of vesical parasympathetic ganglia.