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.

Mouse rRNA gene transcription factor mUBF requires both HMG-box1 and an acidic tail for nucleolar accumulation: molecular analysis of the nucleolar targeting mechanism

RNA polymerase I requires at least two nucleolar transcription factors, UBF and SL-1, for ribosomal RNA gene (rDNA) transcription. UBF requires SL-1 for the formation of a stable initiation complex on the rDNA promoter region. We have determined the region of mouse UBF (mUBF) required for nucleolar targeting. Although mUBF has a nuclear localization sequence, this sequence alone is not sufficient for mUBF to accumulate in the nucleolus. Deletion analyses show that mUBF requires a wide region except for the N-terminal 101 amino acids for nucleolar targeting. Deletion of either the HMG-box1, a region crucial for rDNA binding, or the acidic tail, a region that may interact with SL-1, results in the loss of nucleolar targeting. We show by DNA affinity analysis that the HMG-box1 is absolutely necessary for mUBF to bind to the upstream control element of the rDNA. We also show that mUBFs with various internal deletions retain both nucleolar targeting and DNA binding ability. A clear correlation was demonstrated between the DNA binding and nucleolar targeting ability. These results suggest that UBF is transferred to the nucleus by its NLS and is sequestered in the nucleolus by its specific and stable binding to the rDNA promoter via HMG-boxes and the acidic tail.

[Dipyridamole-thallium myocardial imaging in patients unable to exercise adequately: comparison with arm and bicycle ergometer]

We assessed the usefulness of dipyridamole-thallium myocardial imaging in patients unable to exercise adequately, compared with arm-ergometer and standard (bicycle) ergometer. Fifty-six patients with arteriosclerosis obliterans, aortic aneurysm, aortic dissection and so on, who were revealed normal imaging, were studied. Only one of 13 cases with arm-ergometer and two of 14 with bicycle ergometer reached target heart rate. Lung thallium uptake in the cases with arm-ergometer (37 +/- 9%) is higher than that with dipyridamole (29 +/- 5%). This elevation may be confused with pectoralis muscle uptake. Washout rate is 45 +/- 9% with dipyridamole and 46 +/- 12% with bicycle ergometer, respectively, though there was no significant differences. Myocardial/background counts ratio with dipyridamole (4.6 +/- 0.8%) is significantly higher than that with arm and bicycle ergometer (arm-ergometer; 3.5 +/- 0.7, bicycle ergometer; 4.2 +/- 0.9). Then, myocardial image with dipyridamole have superior quality. We concluded that dipyridamole-thallium myocardial imaging is very useful in the patients who have suboptimal exercise efforts.

Cellular and peptide requirements for in vitro clonal deletion of immature thymocytes

Thymocytes from DO10 T-cell-receptor transgenic mice undergo apoptosis, or programmed cell death, when chicken ovalbumin-(323-339) peptide is administered in vivo. Using DO10 mice thymocytes, we have now developed a simple in vitro model system that recapitulates the in vivo clonal-deletion process. When transgenic thymocytes were cocultured with fibroblasts, B cells, or thymic nurse cell lines (all bearing I-Ad) in the presence of chicken ovalbumin-(323-339), deletion of the transgenic TCR+CD4+CD8+ thymocytes was seen within 8-20 hr. Thymocytes designed to bear I-Ad on their surface could mediate the deletion themselves. Thus, thymocyte clonal deletion entirely depends on the stage at which the thymocytes are vulnerable to the onset of apoptosis, rather than on the nature of the peptide antigen-presenting cells. Furthermore, thymic nurse cell line TNC-R3.1 could cause deletion, strongly suggesting that some thymic epithelial/stromal components are potentially capable of participating in negative selection. In all cases examined, little deletion could be induced at a peptide concentration less than 10 nM, thus defining the minimum amount of peptide antigen required for negative selection. The peptide-dependent in vitro negative-selection system will allow further dissection of the molecular and cellular processes involved in clonal deletion due to apoptosis in the thymus.

Aortic aneurysms: growth rates measured with CT

Because of a lack of information about the rates of growth of aortic aneurysms, such rates in thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were determined. One hundred seventy-one patients with atherosclerotic aortic aneurysm managed nonoperatively were followed up for more than 6 months with sequential computed tomography (CT). There were 211 aneurysms (thoracic aortic, 82; abdominal aortic, 129). The growth rates of thoracic and abdominal aortic aneurysms were 0.42 and 0.28 cm/y, respectively. Aneurysms at the aortic arch (n = 34) grew at a faster average rate (0.56 cm/y) than aneurysms arising at other levels, even when the rate was corrected for the initial diameter. It is recommended that thoracic aortic aneurysms, especially aortic arch aneurysms, be followed frequently with CT examination of size.

[Detectability of diagonal branch disease by 201TlCl exercised myocardial scintigraphy]

The detectability of diagonal branch disease in 10 patients (five with angina pectoris, five with myocardial infarction) with isolated diagonal branch lesions (more than 75% luminal stenosis in coronary angiography) was reviewed. In exercised 201TlCl myocardial scintigraphy, chest pain occurred in four of 10 patients, electrocardiographic change indicating myocardial ischemia was seen in four, and diagonal branch lesion was detected in only four patients by planar images. In contrast, diagonal branch lesions were detected in 10 of 10 patients by SPECT (single photon emission computed tomography). In planar images, perfusion defects appeared high in the anterolateral, posterolateral, and anterior walls of the left ventricle. In SPECT images they appeared high in the anterior to anterolateral wall. The extent of diagonal branch lesions could be quantitatively evaluated by coronary territory maps developed from unfolded maps of exercised SPECT. The mean ratio of the extent of diagonal branch lesion to left anterior descending branch territory was 24.7%, and the extent of myocardial infarction was significantly larger than that of angina pectoris (p < 0.05). In conclusion, SPECT is useful for detecting diagonal branch lesions and can quantitatively show the extent of these lesions by coronary territory map.

Large-scale culture system of human CD4+ helper/killer T cells for the application to adoptive tumour immunotherapy

A simple method for the rapid expansion of human CD4+ T cells with both helper and killer functions was established. CD4+ T cells separated from peripheral blood mononuclear cells using immunomagnetic beads were stimulated with immobilised OKT-3 monoclonal antibody (mAb) plus recombinant interleukin 2 (rIL-2) in 96 well culture plates. After 6 day-culture, the CD4+ T cells were restimulated by immobilised OKT-3 mAb for an additional 24 h, then inoculated into concentrated rotary-tissue culture bag and cultured for further 9 days. This procedure yielded a 3000-fold increase in cell number (about 3-5 x 10(9) per bag). Most of the cells (over 96%) continued to express CD4+ antigen and retained their capacity to produce IL-2. The activated CD4+ T cells showed marked cytotoxicity against Fc receptor positive tumour cells in the presence of OKT-3 mAb. Moreover, we succeeded in a specific targeting of the expanded CD4+ helper/killer T cells to c-erb B-2 positive tumour cells by means of anti-CD3 x anti-c-erb B-2 bispecific antibody. These results suggested that our established simple system will be available for the expansion of large number of CD4+ helper/killer T cells which may provide an efficient strategy for adoptive tumour immunotherapy.

Ischemic injury in cirrhotic livers: an experimental study of the temporary arrest of hepatic circulation

In order to prevent massive bleeding at hepatectomy, the temporary arrest of hepatic circulation is often performed but it is not clear whether this arrest of circulation is tolerated equally by the cirrhotic liver and the normal liver. We investigated biochemically the detailed effects of ischemia on cirrhotic livers in rats with experimentally induced liver cirrhosis. Thioacetoamide was used to prepare the rat cirrhotic liver model (LC group, n = 6). After laparotomy, the vessels to the left lateral lobe were clamped for 30 min and then declamped. Changes in AST isozymes and the aminogram in the blood were examined after ischemia. Postischemic changes in hepatic adenine nucleotides (AdN) and the brain aminogram were also examined. These were compared with those of normal liver ischemia (N group, n = 6) at 24 hr after recirculation. In the LC group, serum levels of mitochondrial AST, a parameter of necrotic cells, were significantly higher than those of the N group. Hepatic AdN levels decreased to 60.6% of the original levels after ischemic injury but those of the N group remained at 95.4% of the original level. Since AdN in tissue is accepted as a reliable parameter of viable cells, cirrhotic livers subjected to ischemia might have more necrotic cells than normal livers. Sequential analysis of serum aminograms of the LC group after ischemia revealed that the ratio of Val+Leu+Ileu/Tyr+Phe decreased to near 1.0 but that of the N group always remained higher than 3.0. Based on these results, it was concluded that ischemic injury in cirrhotic livers is more hazardous than that in normal livers.

Cumulative white matter changes in the gerbil brain under chronic cerebral hypoperfusion

An animal model of chronic brain hypoperfusion has been developed by applying coiled clips to the bilateral carotid artery of Mongolian gerbils. The brain tissue damage was neuropathologically studied after 1, 4, 8, and 12 weeks of hypoperfusion. The hippocampus, basal ganglia, and cerebral cortex of the chronically hypoperfused gerbil showed lesions with various severity which are probably due to ischemic episodes. In the cerebral white matter, however, two types of lesions were observed; one similar to those in the gray matter, and the other observed only in the white matter after more than an 8-week duration of brain hypoperfusion. The lesion specific to the white matter showed rarefaction and gliosis without locally associated ischemic changes. This type of the white matter lesion was never found in the gerbil brain before 8 weeks and, significantly, increased in number and size by 12 weeks post operation. The accumulation of the white matter lesions is characteristic in the gerbil with chronic hypoperfusion. The observed white matter-specific lesion resembles the histological changes in aged brain with cerebrovascular diseases.

[Immunohistochemical study of the human olfactory system]

Taurine (2-aminoethane sulfonic acid) and carnosine (beta-alanyl-L-histidine) are found in large quantities in the olfactory epithelium and bulb. Taurine is a structurally simple amino acid, and has been reported to have several putative roles, such as neurotransmitter, neuromodulator, neurogrowth factor and to function in membrane stabilization. Carnosine, on the other hand, has been suggested as a putative neurotransmitter in the olfactory system. We have succeeded in visualizing taurine- and carnosine-like immunoreactivities (LI) in the human olfactory mucosa, and also carnosine-LI in the human olfactory bulb. For this investigation, we collected specimens of the human olfactory bulb by autopsy and from the olfactory mucosa by biopsy, and compared localization of taurine- and carnosine-LI in several cases. By means of biopsy using Nakano's forceps, samples of olfactory mucosa were obtained from 5 cases: a 17 year old female, 23 year old male, 46 year old male, 47 year old male, and a 57 year old male. The olfactory bulb of a 1 month old male was collected at autopsy. These specimens were processed for immunohistochemical study according to the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) method. In the olfactory epithelium, taurine-LI was demonstrated in some primary olfactory neurons, and in basal cells. Carnosine-LI was observed only in primary olfactory neurons, i.e., dendrites, vesicles and axonal bundles of olfactory receptor cells, but not in basal cells. In the olfactory bulb, the olfactory nerve layer and the glomerular layer showed carnosine-LI positive reactions. Therefore, taurine and carnosine may possibly coexist in some olfactory neurons. Olfactory receptor cells are classified as sensory neurons.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Purification and properties of aminopeptidase H from chicken skeletal muscle

Aminopeptidase H was purified from fresh chicken breast muscle by ammonium sulfate fractionation and successive chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, Ultrogel AcA 34, activated thiol-Sepharose 4B, phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B and DEAE-cellulose again. The purified enzyme migrated as a single band on SDS/PAGE. Aminopeptidase H exhibits activity against both L-leucine beta-naphthylamide and alpha-N-benzoyl-DL-arginine beta-naphthylamide. The molecular mass of this enzyme was found to be 52 kDa on SDS/PAGE and 400 kDa on Sepharose 6B column chromatography. The optimum pH for the hydrolysis of both substrates was 8.0 and this activity was remarkably enhanced by reducing agents. The enzyme was strongly inhibited by monoiodoacetate and leupeptin, but not affected by EDTA, phenylmethylsulfonyl fluoride, pepstatin, bestatin or puromycin. Aminopeptidase H has been shown to hydrolyze di-, tri- and tetrapeptides in the manner of an aminopeptidase, as well as the beta-naphthylamide derivatives of amino acids. However, the enzyme has not been shown to hydrolyze proteins such as hemoglobin, bovine serum albumin, myofibrillar proteins or sarcoplasmic proteins.

[Raise up 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT for detecting the changes in cerebral perfusion pressure]

99mTc-HMPAO crossed the blood brain barrier instantly in proportional to cerebral blood flow. Raise up stress and supine resting 99mTc-HMPAO with brain SPECT was devised for detecting abnormal response in the changes of cerebral perfusion pressure. Asymmetric ratio in the middle cerebral artery area in patients with internal carotid artery occlusion (n = 5) was changed significantly from 0.82 +/- 0.06 to 0.90 +/- 0.06 and that of normal (n = 5) was not changed from 0.94 +/- 0.03 to 0.95 +/- 0.01. Raise up 99mTc-HMPAO brain SPECT enhanced the detectability in abnormality of regional cerebral blood flow and visualized the dys-autoregulated area during blood pressure falls.