Nucleotide sequence and characterization of the feline herpesvirus type 1 immediate early gene

We report the nucleotide sequence of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) immediate early (IE) gene encoding a homologue to the ICP4 protein of herpes simplex virus type 1 and its flanking sequences. When we examined the regulatory function of the FHV-1 IE gene product by using the transient transfection assay with an effector plasmid expressing the FHV-1 IE gene in combination with chimeric various promoter-chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter constructs, the product was able to transactivate a putative FHV-1 TK promoter, pseudorabies virus and equine herpesvirus type 1 ICP4 promoters, and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) long terminal repeat (LTR) in Crandell feline kidney cells. Furthermore, the FHV-1 IE gene product could transactivate both feline immunodeficiency virus and HIV LTRs in SW480 cells but not in Felis catus whole fetus 4 cells.

Inhibition of feline immunodeficiency virus gene expression and replication by alphaherpesvirus ICP4 homologues

We investigated the effects of pseudorabies virus (PRV), herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), and equine herpesvirus type 1 (EHV-1) ICP4 homologues on feline immunodeficiency virus (FIV) long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed gene expression. This was done by using the transient expression chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) assay in Crandell feline kidney (CRFK) and Felis catus whole fetus 4 cells transfected with a chimeric FIV LTR-CAT reporter construct in combination with effector plasmids expressing the PRV, HSV-1 or EHV-1 ICP4 homologue. The experiments demonstrated that the ICP4 homologues could significantly inhibit FIV LTR-directed gene expression. Moreover, the ICP4 homologues also exhibited a marked inhibitory effect on FIV replication in CRFK cells cotransfected with an infectious molecular clone of FIV.

[Suppression of the Pseudomonas aeruginosa-induced biofilm formation on human epithelial cells by erythromycin]

In the present study, were examined the inhibitory effect of erythromycin on the biofilm formation by a temperature-sensitive mutant (Ts25) of Pseudomonas aeruginosa N-42 on the surface of Ishikawa cells which can produce a mucin-like glycoprotein physicochemically similar to mucoproteins produced in the human airway. Usually, 38-45 microcolonies (biofilms) were formed after 10 days of incubation in cultures of Ishikawa cells and P. aeruginosa Ts25. Erythromcin suppressed the adhesion to Ishikawsa cells of P. aeruginosa and its subsequent biofilm formation at doses as low as 0.2 microgram/ml. Erythromycin also exhibited the suppressive effect on the production of glycoproteins by Ishikawa cells at doses higher than 1 microgram/ml and the production of elastase and exoenxyme A from P. aeruginosa at doses higher than 2 micrograms/ml. These results suggest that erythromycin can inhibit the biofilm formation in culture of human epithelial cells and P. aeruginosa and the in-vivo bacterial biofilm formation may be attributed to host cell-derived factors rather than bacterial products.

[An evaluation of pathogens in patients with bronchopulmonary infection by transtracheal aspiration: December 1978-March 1993]

We performed transtracheal aspiration (TTA) in 1165 patients, who were suspected to have bronchopulmonary infection, from December 1978 to March 1993. We isolated pathogens from TTA in 806 patients (69.2%). We isolated H. influenzae (62 cases), S. pneumoniae (39 cases) and M. catarrhalis (24 cases) in patients with acute bronchitis, S. pneumoniae (65 cases), alpha-Streptococcus sp. (52 cases), H. influenzae (32 cases) and S. aureus (29 cases) in patients with pneumonia or lung abscess and H. influenzae (174 cases), S. pneumoniae (84 cases), P. aeruginosa (81 cases) and M. catarrhalis (42 cases) in patients with chronic lower respiratory tract infection. Anaerobic bacteria isolated from TTA included Peptostreptococcus sp. (19 cases), Bacteroides sp. (19 cases) and others. Mycoplasma pneumoniae was isolated from TTA in 8 patients with pneumonia without other organisms. Virus isolated from TTA included Rhinovirus (6 cases) and others. These results suggest that various pathogens affect the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary infection. Therefore, we must diagnose the bronchopulmonary infection by the correct methods such as TTA.

Basic fibroblast growth factor-binding domain of heparan sulfate in the human glomerulosclerosis and renal tubulointerstitial fibrosis

BACKGROUND

The saccharide side chains of heparan sulfate (HS) proteoglycans show enormous complexity. These polysaccharides can interact specifically with cytokines such as basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF). The understanding of HS expression in glomerulosclerosis and interstitial fibrosis, which is still rudimentary, could provide some insight about the role of bFGF in kidney diseases.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Kidney sections were exposed to exogenous bFGF and then to a monoclonal anti-bFGF antibody. Specificity of the interaction between HS and bFGF was established by monitoring concomitant loss of bFGF during selective removal of HS with heparitinase and competitive inhibition studies. To further characterize regional changes in saccharide sequences, heparitinase-generated unsaturated disaccharides, N-sulfated glucosamine-enriched but O-sulfate-scarce portions characteristics of native HS, and such portions characteristic of Engelbreth-Holm-Swarm tumor HS were studied.

RESULTS

HS was detected in interstitial fibrosis and in advanced glomerulosclerosis, whereas bFGF-binding domains were found only in the fibrosis: The distributional pattern of the N-sulfate-enriched and O-sulfate-scarce portions of native HS was similar to that of bFGF-binding domains. Moreover, a small population of parenchymal cells in advanced tubulointerstitial fibrosis with marked cellular infiltration were especially rich in the bFGF-binding domains.

CONCLUSIONS

In fibrotic lesions of the peritubular interstitium, HS shows enrichment of bFGF-binding domains. These regions may play an important role in the fibrogenesis through their interaction with endogenous bFGF.

[A case of fistula-cancer response to arterial chemoembolization]

Arterial chemoembolization was performed three times preoperatively for cancer associated with fistula-in-ano for diminishing the postoperative surgical tissue defect of the perineum. Partial response of the tumor to this treatment was confirmed by computed tomography. A sixty-two-year-old male patient recognized a mass in the perineum one and a half years ago. He had suffered from fistula-in-ano for thirty years. The mass increased its size and formed a tumor in the bilateral buttocks (12 x 9 cm and 9 x 9 cm in diameter). Biopsy specimen showed a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma. Angiography showed a hypervascular tumor stain. The main feeders to the tumor were the superior rectal artery and bilateral internal iliac artery. Arterial chemoembolization was performed three times through the right and left internal iliac artery with Gelfoam particle. Arterial infusion chemotherapy was added through inferior mesenteric artery and bilateral internal iliac artery with a total 120 mg of adriamycin and 1,500 mg of 5-FU simultaneously. The tumor decreased in size to 44% of the preoperative size by the treatment. A radical operation was performed following the preoperative treatment. Preoperative arterial chemoembolization for cancer associated fistula-in-ano was considered to be helpful for local control.

Estrogen feedback needed at the paraventricular nucleus or A2 to suppress pulsatile luteinizing hormone release in fasting female rats

The feedback sites of estrogen within the hypothalamus and lower brain stem involved in the suppression of pulsatile LH secretion during 48-h fasting were examined in ovariectomized rats with local estradiol (E2) implants. The animals were ovariectomized and immediately implanted stereotaxically with stainless steel cannula containing crystal E2 diluted 10 times with crystal cholesterol into the medial preoptic area, paraventricular nucleus (PVN), arcuate nucleus (ARC), locus ceruleus, or A1 or A2 region of the brain. Five days later, animals were deprived of food for 48 h, and blood samples were collected every 6 min for 3 h. Animals were immediately refed for 45 h and bled again as described above. Changes in the mean LH concentrations over the 3-h sampling period and the frequency and amplitude of LH pulses were determined by calculating the differences in these parameters between the first and second blood samplings in each animal. Fasting significantly lowered mean LH concentrations in animals implanted with E2 in the A2. The more potent suppression of pulsatile LH release during fasting was found in rats with E2 implants in the PVN: the mean LH concentrations and LH pulse frequency were significantly reduced by fasting in this group. In the animals with E2 implants in the medial preoptic area, ARC, locus ceruleus, or A1, 48-h fasting did not induce any significant changes in LH pulse parameters compared to those in cholesterol-implanted controls. A decrease in LH pulse amplitude was apparent in refed rats as well as fasted animals only when E2 was implanted in the ARC. These results suggest that the feedback action of estrogen at the PVN and/or A2 is required for fasting-induced suppression of pulsatile LH release, as opposed to the so-called negative feedback action of estrogen, which tonically suppresses LH release in nonfasting rats.

Close correlation of the cardioprotective effect of FK409, a spontaneous NO releaser, with an increase in plasma cyclic GMP level

FK409 ((+/-)-(E)-ethyl-2-[(E)-hydroxyimino]-5-nitro-3-hexeneamide) , which has been reported by us to be a new spontaneous nitric oxide (NO) releaser, prevented myocardial infarction following occlusion and reperfusion in rat coronary artery and increased plasma cyclic GMP level in rats, dose-dependently and significantly at 32 mg kg-1. Isosorbide dinitrate (ISDN), which is the most popular orally active NO donor used in the treatment of ischaemic cardiovascular diseases, did not show significant effects at 32 mg kg-1 in either experiment. Therefore, it is suggested that FK409 can attenuate myocardial injury during ischaemia and reperfusion in contrast to ISDN and a change in plasma cyclic GMP level may serve as an indicator of the cardioprotective effect of NO-releasing drugs.

Effects of aerobic conditioning at intensities corresponding to lactate threshold plus reduced energy intake in college-age females

The effects of a 15-wk aerobic conditioning (4.2 +/- 1.3 d/wk) plus energy restriction (25 kcal/kg/d diet) program on anthropometric and physiologic attributes were studied in 16 obese women between the ages of 18 and 24. The women were divided into either an experimental (E, n = 10) group or a control (C, n = 6) group. The exercise + diet (E) group demonstrated significant reductions in body weight, both absolute and relative body fat, Katsura index, and serum triglycerides, and increases in oxygen uptake relative to lactate threshold (LT), maximal oxygen uptake, and the ratio of high-density lipoprotein cholesterol to total cholesterol. In the C group, none of the variables measured in this study remained unchanged. Thus the benefits of weight reduction without any change in fat free weight following the program were pronounced in the female university-age group that we studied. In conclusion, the highly structured aerobic conditioning at intensities corresponding to LT together with a proper dietary regimen is considered optimal with respect to favorable changes in various anthropometric and physiologic attributes. The feasibility of treating obese individuals with manifestation of medical and/or psychological problems in a school setting should be a significant matter in future research.

Numerical aberrations of chromosome 17 detected by FISH with DNA-specific probe in oral tumors

Numerical aberrations of chromosomes were investigated in oral tumors by using fluorescence in situ hybridization (F1SH) with 4 chromosome centromere-specific DNA probes. The hybridization signals of the centromere sequence were easily detected and counted within interphase nuclei as well as metaphase chromosomes. The number of hybridized signals for chromosome 17 significantly increased in oral malignant tumors compared to benign tumors, which had two spots as well as normal lymphocytes. Cell lines derived from oral squamous cell carcinoma also showed numerical aberrations of chromosomes 1, 4 and 11, in addition to chromosome 17. These findings suggested that numerical aberrations of chromosomes occur during the development of malignant tumors of the oral cavity.

Purification and characterization of a novel arginine-specific cysteine proteinase (argingipain) involved in the pathogenesis of periodontal disease from the culture supernatant of Porphyromonas gingivalis

A novel arginine-specific cysteine proteinase, termed "argingipain," was purified from culture supernatants of Porphyromonas gingivalis, an anaerobe commonly associated with progressive periodontal disease, by conventional chromatographic techniques. The purified enzyme was found to be composed of a single polypeptide of M(r) approximately 44,000. Analysis of the enzymatic properties revealed several distinctive features for this enzyme. The proteolytic activity is absolutely thiol-dependent, but the enzyme also has in part the characteristics of both metallo and serine endopeptidases, as shown by the inhibition of activity by metal chelators, chymostatin, and the chloromethyl ketones of tosyl-L-lysine and tosyl-L-phenylalanine. However, internal protease inhibitors, such as cystatins, tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinases, and alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, have no effects on the activity, suggesting its evasion from normal host defense systems in vivo. Despite its narrow specificity for synthetic substrates containing Arg in the P1 site and hydrophobic amino acids in the P2 or P3 sites, the enzyme extensively degrades collagens (types I and IV) and immunoglobulin G. Most important, the enzyme has the ability to disrupt the functions of polymorphonuclear leukocytes, as shown by its inhibitory effect on the generation of active oxygen species from the activated cells. Further, the enzyme is found to be produced by all of the species of P. gingivalis examined, but not by other bacteria. These results suggests that argingipain plays a key role as a major virulence factor from P. gingivalis in the development of periodontal disease via the direct destruction of periodontal tissue components and the disruption of normal host defense mechanisms.

Clinical course and long-term prognosis of Crohn's disease in Japan

The long-term outcome of Crohn's disease was reviewed in 74 patients who had a history of more than 10 years (range 10.8-27.3) since disease onset. The observation period was between 4.3 and 18.5 years, the mean and SD being 10.6 +/- 3.1 years. The means and SD of age at onset and final observation were 21 +/- 7 and 37 +/- 8 years, respectively. Fifty-eight of the 74 patients had not undergone bowel resection at the time of diagnosis; of these 58, 31 (53.4%) had an operation for the disease during the follow-up period. Thus, of the 74 patients, 47 (63.5%) (these 31, plus the 16 who had undergone bowel resection at the time of diagnosis) had an operation at least once during a follow-up period of 10 years or more. The cumulative operation rates 5, 10, and 15 years after onset in the 74 and 58 patients above were 18.9%, 6.9%, and 40.8%, and 34.8%, 49.1%, and 46.0%, respectively. The corresponding figures 5 and 10 years after diagnosis in all 74 patients and the 58 patients were 32.3% and 28.6% and 47.3% and 46.3%, respectively. There were no significant differences in the incidence of operation rate in relation to anatomical involvement. Cumulative reoperation rates 1, 3, 5, and 10 years after the first operation in the 31 patients who were operated on during the follow-up period were 3.4%, 6.9%, 25.5%, and 51.7%, respectively. Three patients died, the causes of death in one being directly related to Crohn's disease.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Split tolerance between spleen and lymph node cells in severe combined immunodeficiency mice grafted with AKR fetal liver cells

Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mice defective in stem cells for T and B cells appear to be an ideal host for construction of chimeric mice. When bone marrow cells are used as a source of stem cells, however, host SCID mice do not always show sufficient reconstitution. In this study, fetal liver cells from AKR embryos were transplanted into SCID mice without prior irradiation. This treatment induced full reconstitution of lymphopoiesis as evaluated by flow cytometry analysis and serum Ig production 2 months after transplantation. Thus, fetal liver cells seem to be a better source for reconstitution of SCID mice than bone marrow cells. Lymph node (LN) cells of these mice (FLT mice) had no proliferative or cytotoxic activities against either host-type (C.B-17) or donor-type (AKR) spleen cells. However, spleen cells from FLT mice exhibited marked proliferative and cytotoxic activities against C.B-17 cells, with no activities against AKR cells. Split tolerance against C.B-17 cells in spleen and LN cells was not a transient phenomenon, since similar results were obtained from a cytotoxic T lymphocyte assay 4 months later. In spite of the strong host reactivity in vitro, aberration of clonal deletion or development of a graft-versus-host disease was not seen in FLT mice. As IL-2 induced the host reactivity of LN cells in a mixed lymphocyte reaction, potentially host-reactive T cells were present in LN but were rendered anergic. Tolerance in FLT mice seems to be regulated by a peripheral mechanism. We supposed that the split tolerance in FLT mice was induced by the different antigenicity between the spleen and LN.

A gD homologous gene of feline herpesvirus type 1 encodes a hemagglutinin (gp60)

A gene-encoding glycoprotein D (gD) homologue of feline herpesvirus type 1 (FHV-1) was identified and sequenced. It was located within an EcoRI 4.3-kbp fragment in the middle of the unique short region. The primary translation product of the gD homologous gene is predicted to consist of 374 amino acids with a molecular weight (MW) of 43.2 kDa. Comparative analysis among gD counterparts of other herpesviruses revealed that six cysteine residues which correlate with disulfide bond structure were conserved, and the amino acid sequences had homologies of 32.6% with bovine herpesvirus type 1 gIV, 29.1% with pseudorabies virus gp50, 28.3% with equine herpesvirus type 1 gD, and 22.0% with herpes simplex virus type 1 gD. When the gD homologue was expressed in COS cells and examined by indirect immunofluorescence and immunoprecipitation assays, it was recognized only by monoclonal antibodies (MAbs) reactive with gp60 which have virus-neutralizing and hemagglutination (HA)-inhibition (HI) activities. This expressed product had a MW of approximately 60 kDa and was shown to be a hemagglutinin by HA and HI tests with the MAbs. These results suggest that the gD homologue of FHV-1 is a hemagglutinin.

[Clinical study of pneumonia in elderly patients using transtracheal aspiration (TTA)]

A clinical study was conducted to clarify the clinical state of pneumonia in elderly patients using transtracheal aspiration (TTA). Without prior administration of antibiotics, S. pneumoniae was the most clinically significant in both elderly and non-elderly groups whether the onset of pneumonia was hospital acquired pneumonia or community acquired pneumonia. Compared to the non-elderly group, multiple pathogens were isolated more frequently in the elderly group. Analysis about host factors showed that the number of underlying diseases per patient was more along those with poorer general conditions in the elderly group. The Brinkmann Index was also significantly higher in the elderly group. Clinical examinations before onset of pneumonia indicated that serum total protein, albumin and DNCB skin reaction were significantly lowered in the elderly group. Over the clinical course, the prognosis was poorer and the incidence of adverse reactions of antibiotics tended to be more in the elderly group. These results suggest that a complex clinical background exists for pneumonia of elderly people, related to poorer prognosis. Therefore, more cautious and meticulous care should be provided to elderly patients with pneumonia.

Distribution of apoptosis-mediating Fas antigen in human skin and effects of anti-Fas monoclonal antibody on human epidermal keratinocyte and squamous cell carcinoma cell lines

Fast antigen is a cell surface protein that mediates apoptosis. Using immunohistological, flow cytometry and electron microscopic analyses, we investigated the expression of Fas antigen on various skin tissues, and on cultured SV40-transformed human epidermal keratinocyte cell line KJD and human skin squamous cell carcinoma cell line HSC. The Fas antigen was widely distributed in skin components such as the keratinocytes in the lower portion of the epidermis, epidermal dendritic cells, endothelial cells, fibroblasts, apocrine glands, eccrine sweat glands, sebaceous glands, some normal melanocytes and infiltrating lymphoid cells. It was also strongly expressed on the keratinocytes of lichenoid eruptions seen in lupus erythematosus and lichen planus, and on the spongiotic or acanthotic epidermis seen in chronic eczema, adult T-cell leukaemia/lymphoma (ATLL) and atopic dermatitis. Its expression was closely correlated with lymphoid infiltrating cells and it was strongly expressed in lymphoid neoplastic cells, particularly ATLL cells, and fibroblasts seen in dermatofibroma. However, the antigen was not detected on basal cell epithelioma cells, some malignant melanomas or any junctional naevi. The cell lines KJD and HSC strongly expressed the Fas antigen, and crosslinking of the Fas antigen by an anti-Fas monoclonal antibody induced apoptosis of these cell lines. These results indicate that the apoptosis-mediating Fas antigen may play an important role in normal skin turnover and cell differentiation, in immune regulation of skin tumours, and in the pathogenesis of various skin diseases.

Alteration in regional brain neuropeptides following intracerebroventricular infusion of excitotoxins in rats

We determined regional brain concentrations of somatostatin (SS), neuropeptide Y (NPY) and arginine-vasopressin (AVP) in 3- and 13-month-old rats. We also examined the effects of the excitotoxins, ibotenic acid (IA), kainic acid (KA), and quinolinic acid (QA) on regional levels of brain neuropeptides in rats. Excitotoxins were infused continuously into the lateral ventricle for 14 days using an osmotic minipump. Our results indicate that; (1) NPY in the brain is especially vulnerable to aging, compared to AVP. (2) IA induces a decrease in brain regional concentrations of neuropeptides and the effects are different from those of other excitotoxins, for example, KA and QA. (3) These effects of IA on neuropeptides may be dependent on the age of the animals when exposed and on the dose of IA.

The phylogenetic relationships of the saturn-shaped ascospore-forming species of the genus Williopsis Zender and related genera based on the partial sequences of 18S and 26S ribosomal RNAs (Saccharomycetaceae): the proposal of Komagataea Gen. Nov

The partial base sequences of 18S and 26S rRNAs of strains of Williopsis and Saturnospora species were analyzed. In the three regions partially sequenced, the higher base differences were observed in the strains examined of the three species, W. californica, W. mucosa, and W. pratensis, compared with those of W. saturnus var. saturnus (type species of genus Williopsis), W. beijerinckii, W. mrakii, W. saturnus var. subsufficiens, W. suaveolens, P. membranaefaciens (type species of genus Pichia), C. matritensis (type species of genus Citeromyces), and S'spora dispora (type species of genus Saturnospora): the percent similarities were 52-82 in positions 493-622, 130 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 28-6 in positions 1611-1835, 225 bases, of 26S rRNA, and the number of base differences was 25-4 in positions 1451-1618, 168 bases, of 18S rRNA. In the 18S rRNA partial base sequencings, W. mucosa had an identical base sequence with P. anomala (identical to H. anomala, type species of genus Hansenula). Based on the sequence data obtained, the taxonomic positions of the three Williopsis species mentioned above are discussed. The genus Zygowilliopsis Kudriavzev was postulated to be retained and emended, and a new genus, Komagataea was proposed for W. pratensis with a new combination, Komagataea pratensis.

Relationship between body composition and cardiorespiratory fitness in Japanese junior high school boys and girls

This study attempted to evaluate the influence of body composition on cardiorespiratory fitness as represented by maximal oxygen uptake (VO2max) in junior high school boys and girls. The subjects were judged apparently healthy. Measurements of VO2max during an incremental treadmill exercise testing as well as measurements of body composition were compared between obese boys and girls, 12 to 15 years old, and age- and height-matched nonobese boys and girls. Analyses of the data revealed that statistically significant (P < 0.01) mean differences between the obese and nonobese groups were observed for body mass (BM), percentage body fat, and body fat content. Fat-free mass (FFM) of obese boys was significantly larger than nonobese boys. There were significant differences between obese and nonobese groups irrespective of sex, when VO2max was expressed as milliliters of oxygen per kilogram of BM per minute. In contrast, no significant group differences were found in VO2max expressed as ml per kg of FFM per min. No significant differences existed either for absolute VO2max between the obese girls and the nonobese girls due almost entirely to the similarity in FFM between these two groups. Significant correlations were found both in boys (r = -0.742) and girls (r = -0.843) between VO2max (ml/kg BM/min) and percentage body fat, thereby indicating the striking effects of excess body fat. These results in the present study support the general belief that obesity accentuates exercise intolerance and low aerobic capacity.