Morphological investigation of neurofibrillary tangles in Alzheimer's disease

There are two types of neurofibrillary tangles, namely, a twisted tubule and a straight or uniform tubule in the same cell in the brain with Alzheimer's disease. However, in some parts of the same fibril, both the twisted and straight tubules clearly could be seen as a continuation of each other. This finding suggests that both of the tubules have a deep relation to each other, especially at the molecular level. This might also suggest the possibility of both tubules which mutually transform into each other.

Pathogenetic and therapeutic considerations of carotid-cavernous sinus fistulas

Carotid-cavernous sinus fistula (CCF) is a syndrome in which arteriovenous shunts exist between the carotid artery and the cavernous sinus. These shunts vary widely in pathogenesis, angiogram, haemodynamics and treatment. Several systems of classification in terms of either haemodynamics, aetiology and/or pathogenesis have been reported, but they are not comprehensive. A more comprehensive and simpler nomenclature of classification is now required. Fifty seven cases of CCFs were analyzed and were classified according to their pathogenesis, angiography and treatment modalities. There were 11 traumatic CCFs with direct shunts (T-D group), and 2 traumatic CCFs with indirect shunts (T-I group). Spontaneous CCFs were divided into three groups. There were 37 spontaneous CCFs caused by dural arteriovenous shunts that were naturally classified as being indirect shunts (SD-I group). There were 5 spontaneous CCFs caused by suspected connective tissue disorders, such as fibromuscular dysplasia, Ehlers-Danlos syndrome etc.; these had direct shunts. Care was needed to avoid dissection of the artery or complications due to the fragility of connective tissue (SC-D group). There were 2 spontaneous CCFs caused by the rupture of an inflaclinoid aneurysm without any background of connective tissue disorder; these had direct shunts (SA-D group). By this system of grouping and use of abbreviations, each case of CCF can be clearly delineated in terms of its pathogenesis and selection for appropriate treatment.

Gadolinium-DTPA--enhanced magnetic resonance imaging of a sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc and its correlation with pathologic findings

A 37-year-old man developed spinal nerve root compression caused by a sequestered lumbar intervertebral disc that migrated caudally away from the L5-S1 interspace of origin. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans of the lumbosacral spine after administration of gadolinium-DTPA (Gd-DTPA) revealed intense peripheral, but not entire, enhancement of an extradural defect. The result of examination using Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI increased the certainty of preoperative diagnosis of sequestered disc. Pathologic examination of the resected specimen showed that the extradural defect was sequestered disc material covered with vascularized granulation tissue, and indicated that the intense peripheral enhancement of the extradural defect in Gd-DTPA-enhanced MRI was related to the accumulation of contrast material within the vascularized granulation tissue surrounding the avascular sequestered disc material.

Radiofrequency thermal balloon coronary angioplasty: a new device for successful percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty

OBJECTIVES

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of thermal balloon percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty using radiofrequency energy in the treatment of patients with failed coronary angioplasty and complex lesions. In addition, we evaluated restenosis after radiofrequency thermal balloon applications.

BACKGROUND

The efficacy of coronary angioplasty is limited by the relatively low success rate in complex lesions and the high frequency of restenosis. Few reports have studied the combined effects of pressure and laser thermal energy. This study describes a new device for coronary angioplasty using radiofrequency thermal energy.

METHODS

Thirty-two patients with failed conventional coronary angioplasty or complex lesions were treated with radiofrequency thermal balloon coronary angioplasty. Radiofrequency energy was delivered up to 11 times in exposures ranging from 30 to 60 s in duration. This combined effect allowed the vascular wall to be heated to temperatures ranging from 60 to 70 degrees C. Follow-up coronary angiography was performed, on average, 6 months after the procedure.

RESULTS

Successful radiofrequency coronary angioplasty was achieved in 28 (82%) of 34 lesions. There was one abrupt coronary artery occlusion (3%) and no death, perforation or dissection. Angiographic restenosis occurred in 14 (56%) of 25 lesions.

CONCLUSIONS

In patients with failed coronary angioplasty and difficult complex lesions, radiofrequency coronary angioplasty could potentially improve angioplasty success rates and may have important implications for bailout cases with abrupt occlusion. However, restenosis remains a significant problem.

Tuberculous hypertrophic pachymeningitis involving the posterior fossa and high cervical region--case report

A 44-year-old female presented with a rare tuberculous hypertrophic pachymeningitis involving the posterior fossa and high cervical region manifesting as progressive multiple cranial nerve pareses and myelopathy developing over 6 months. Magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated the thickened dura mater and associated syrinx. Despite decompressive craniectomy and antituberculous treatment, she died of disseminated intravascular coagulation. Hypertrophic pachymeningitis is probably best treated by the most extensive excision of affected dura mater possible, unless medical treatment can be instituted for an identifiable underlying causative disease.

Application of an alpha-sidechain length-specific monoclonal antibody to immunoaffinity purification and enzyme immunoassay of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha from human urine

2,3-Dinor-6-keto-prostaglandin F1 alpha (2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha) is a major urinary metabolite of PGI2 (prostacyclin) and one of the most reliable parameters of PGI2 production in vivo. A mouse was immunized with 2,3-dinor-6-keto-20-carboxy-PGF1 alpha conjugated to bovine serum albumin for preparation of a monoclonal antibody which recognized the difference in the alpha-sidechain length of 6-keto-PGF1 alpha and its 2,3-dinor-metabolite. A sensitive and specific enzyme immunoassay was developed by the solid-phase competition method with 2,3-dinor-6-keto-20-carboxy-PGF1 alpha labeled with peroxidase protein. The detection range of the assay was 14-1200 fmol (IC50 = 120 fmol). The cross-reactivities of the antibody with 6-keto-PGF1 alpha, 6,15-diketo-13,14-dihydro-PGF1 alpha, and other arachidonate metabolites were less than 0.01%. An immunoaffinity column was prepared by coupling the anti-2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha antibody to BrCN-activated Sepharose 4B. Human urine was applied to an octadecylsilyl silica cartridge, and the extract was applied to the immunoaffinity column. This procedure allowed an efficient separation of 2,3-dinor-6-keto-PGF1 alpha from unidentified urinary substances which interfered with immunoassay. Validity of the results obtained by the enzyme immunoassay was confirmed by GC/MS employing selected ion monitoring for quantification.

Bioassay for interleukin-1, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-like activities in canine sera

To measure interleukin (IL)-1, IL-6, and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-like activities in canine serum, bioassays were conducted using human melanoma A375S1, IL-6 dependent murine hybridoma MH60.BSF2, and WEHI 164 murine sarcoma subclone 28-4. Clinically normal adult beagles were experimentally induced endotoxic shock by an intravenous injection of lipopolysaccharide or local inflammation by an intramuscular injection of turpentine oil. IL-1-like activity was detected in sera from dogs with endotoxic shock. IL-6 and TNF-like activities were detected in sera from both dogs with endotoxic shock and local inflammation. IL-1-like activity in sera from the dogs with endotoxic shock declined after dilution with either medium or serum obtained before treatment (pre-serum), but the IL-1-like activity was maintained to a greater extent in samples diluted with pre-serum compared to those diluted with medium. TNF-like activity declined equally after dilution with either medium or pre-serum. On the other hand, IL-6-like activity was inhibited at low dilution. It was, therefore, necessary to dilute the serum samples to 1:180 from dogs with endotoxic shock or 1:60 from dogs with local inflammation, in order to minimize the effect of inhibitory factors on IL-6-like activity. IL-6-like activity was neutralized by monoclonal antibody against murine IL-6 receptors. TNF-like activity was neutralized by anti-mouse TNF alpha rabbit serum. However IL-1-like activity was not neutralized by either anti-mouse or anti-human IL-1 rabbit serum.

Gypsy phenylketonuria: a point mutation of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene in Gypsy families from Slovakia

A direct mutational analysis of the phenylalanine hydroxylase gene (PAH) in Gypsy families with phenylketonuria (PKU) has not yet been presented. However, they obviously represent a group at high risk for this inherited disease. We analyzed the PAH loci of 65 Gypsies originating from Eastern Slovakia by a combination of PCR amplification, direct sequencing and ASO hybridization. These studies uncovered 10 "classical PKU" patients to be homozygous for a R252W (CGG-TGG) transition, and 29 heterozygous carriers of this mutation. Fifteen control Caucasoid PKU patients from the Czech and Slovak Republics were selected. In this group we detected R252W mutation in two subjects (6.67% of all mutant alleles). Both were compound heterozygous for two different mutations. Previous haplotype studies of Welsh Gypsies with PKU were uninformative in the determination of heterozygosity. ASO hybridization served us effectively for the consequent analyses in Gypsy PKU-related families and to identify the carriers among the unrelated subjects.

Histological changes of implanted collagen material during bone induction

Studies were made on the fate of implanted material during bone induction. Mixtures of 1 mg of crude bone morphogenetic protein (BMP), or bovine serum albumin as a control, and 1.5 mg of bovine collagen, were pressed into discs and implanted under the fascia of the rectus abdominus muscle of rats. The tissues with implants were fixed 7, 10, and 14 days later and examined histologically. On day 7 after implantation, the implant was surrounded and invaded by alkaline phosphatase-positive cells. New bone and cartilage were seen at the periphery of the implant. In the regions of calcified cartilage and bone, these osteogenic matrices were intermixed with the implant. The mineral deposits were seen by electron microscopy not only on the osteogenic matrices but also on the implanted collagen. On day 14, the bone had spread to the center of the implant. No osteogenesis or chondrogenesis was seen in control implants. It was concluded that the calcification occurred on the implanted collagen during bone induction, and that it was related to successive bone formation and remodeling.

Increase of fucosylated serum cholinesterase in relation to high risk groups for hepatocellular carcinomas

Serum cholinesterase (ChE) (E.C. 3.1.1.8) is a glycoprotein which has 36 potential sites of asparagine-N-linked sugar chains. The structures of oligosaccharides released from ChE on hydrazinolysis were studied by serial lectin affinity column chromatography, exoglycosidase digestion, and methylation analysis. Seventy-three % of the sugar chains occurred as biantennary oligosaccharides and the remainder as C-2 and C-2,4/C-2,6 branched tri- and tetraantennary oligosaccharides. Several percentages of the Lewis X antigenic determinant and fucosylated mannose core were linked to them, and their sialic acid residues were linked to nonreducing terminal galactose residues at the C-3 and C-6 positions. Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE with the Lewis X antigenic determinant increased in hepatocellular carcinomas and liver cirrhosis compared with chronic hepatitis; on the other hand, Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE did not change significantly after transcatheter arterial embolization and was not related to the serum levels of alpha-fetoprotein and carcinoembryonic antigen in patients with hepatocellular carcinomas. Accordingly, the analysis of Aleuria aurantia lectin-reactive ChE is clinically useful for differentiating liver cirrhosis from chronic hepatitis and to identify high risk groups for hepatocellular carcinomas, i.e., cirrhotic patients in Child's A grade.

GABA receptor function in the parasympathetic ganglia

The criteria required to establish gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) as a neurotransmitter have been fulfilled in the enteric nervous system of the mammalian intestine. In the intestine, GABA-A receptors are located on somato-dendritic regions of the postganglionic cholinergic neurons and mediate the release of acetylcholine (ACh). GABA-B receptors are located on nerve terminals of the cholinergic neurons and mediate inhibition of nerve-stimulated release of ACh. In the urinary bladder, GABA is possibly a noncholinergic, nonadrenergic inhibitory neurotransmitter. Both GABA-A and GABA-B receptors seem to be present in the parasympathetic ganglia and mediate inhibition of ACh release from the cholinergic neurons. Thus, the functional property of GABA-A receptor is different between the intestine and urinary bladder. GABA-A receptors are also located on the GABAergic nerve terminals as an autoreceptor, and mediate inhibition of GABA release both in the intestine and urinary bladder.

Crossed non-dominant hemisphere syndrome in a right-hander

A right-handed patient with a large left temporo-parietal infarction manifested various non-dominant hemisphere signs. He had two left-handed children. On neurobehavioural examinations, he did not show aphasia or ideomotor apraxia, but did show hemispatial neglect, spatial agraphia, constructional apraxia, auditory and tactile extinction, anosodiaphoria and affective changes, all of which are usually observed after right hemispheric damage. We conclude that he has a reversed cerebral laterality of cognitive functions and showed crossed non-dominant hemisphere syndrome.

Inactivation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase by in vitro glycosylation and in erythrocytes of diabetic patients

Purified bovine Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase was nonenzymatically glycosylated in vitro at a rate proportional to incubation time (2 to 120 hrs) and glucose concentration (10 to 100 mM). Inverse correlation between glycosylation and the enzyme activity showed that increased glycosylation was accompanied with inactivation of the enzyme. Specific activities of glycosylated and non-glycosylated enzymes incubated with 100 mM glucose for 120 hrs were 1150 and 2860 units/mg protein, respectively. This indicates that nonenzymatic glycosylation declined the enzyme activity approximately to 40%. All these results were consistent with the in vivo studies that Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase activity in erythrocytes of non-insulin dependent diabetic patients was inversely correlated with their plasma glucose. Inactivation of Cu,Zn-superoxide dismutase demonstrated by both in vitro and in vivo studies may be important for the development of diabetic complications, because the enzyme has a crucial role in protecting the body against the damaging effects of the superoxide radicals.

Structure-activity relationships of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36)amide: insulinotropic activities in perfused rat pancreases, and receptor binding and cyclic AMP production in RINm5F cells

To examine the structure-activity relationships in the insulinotropic activity of glucagon-like peptide-1(7-36) amide (GLP-1(7-36)amide), we synthesized 16 analogues, including eight which were designed by amino acid substitutions at positions 10 (Alal0), 15 (Serl5), 16 (Try16), 17 (Arg17), 18 (Lys18), 21 (Gly21), 27 (Lys27) and 31 (Asp31) of GLP-1(7-36)amide with an amino acid of GH-releasing factor possessing only slight insulinotropic activity, and three tentative antagonists including [Glu15]-GLP-1(8-36)amide. Their insulinotropic activities were assessed by rat pancreas perfusion experiments, and binding affinity to GLP-1 receptors and stimulation of cyclic AMP (cAMP) production were evaluated using cultured RINm5F cells. Insulinotropic activity was estimated as GLP-1(7-36)amide = Tyr16 > Lys18, Lys27 > Gly21 > Asp31 >> Ser15, Arg17 > Ala10 >> GRF > [Glu15]-GLP-1(8-36) amide. Displacement activity against 125I-labelled GLP-1(7-36)amide binding and stimulatory activity for cAMP production in RINm5F cells correlated well with their insulinotropic activity in perfused rat pancreases. These results demonstrate that (1) positions 10 (glycine), 15 (aspartic acid) and 17 (serine) in the amino acid sequence of GLP-1(7-36)amide, in addition to the N-terminal histidine, are essential for its insulinotropic activity through its binding to the receptor, (2) the amino acid sequences for the C-terminal half of GLP-1(7-36)amide also contribute to its binding to the receptor, although they are less important compared with those of the N-terminal half, and (3) [Glu15]-GLP-1(8-36)amide is not an antagonist of GLP-1(7-36)amide as opposed to des-His1 [Glu9]-glucagon amide which is a potent glucagon antagonist.

Eicosapentaenoic acid enhances myo-inositol uptake in cultured human aortic smooth muscle cells

The effects of elevated glucose and Eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA, 20:5) on myoinositol uptake in human aortic smooth muscle cells (HASMC) were evaluated. Myo-inositol incorporation into HASMC was dependent on an active transport system via Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity based on the results with Na+ deprivation and Ouabain (5 mM). Although glucose (27.5, 55 mM) inhibited 2-[3H] myo-inositol uptake, the addition of EPA (3 x 10(-4) M) prevented glucose-mediated inhibition. In addition, EPA potentiated Na(+)-K+ ATPase activity of HASMC. Since EPA decrease glucose-mediated inhibition of myo-inositol uptake, this agent might ameliorate aortic smooth muscle cell function associated with diabetes.

Increase in intracellular calcium ion in smooth muscle cells induced by low-density lipoprotein

It was investigated whether low-density lipoprotein (LDL) had effects on intracellular Ca2+ concentration in the smooth muscle cell (SMC). LDL promoted SMC proliferation and increased intracellular Ca2+ by a two-phase pattern, an initial peak and a following plateau. Each phase was suppressed by treatment with ryanodine or extracellular Ca(2+)-free buffer. This increase in intracellular Ca2+ was also suppressed by anti-LDL receptor antibody. Moreover, inositol triphosphate (IP3) was elevated with short-term LDL treatment. Since SMC proliferation is the most important event in atherosclerosis and LDL is one of the main risk factors, it was concluded that LDL might trigger SMC proliferation by increasing IP3 and intracellular Ca2+ through LDL receptor.

Molecular cloning and identification of two types of hamster cyclin-dependent kinases: cdk2 and cdk2L

We isolated two types of hamster cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (cdk2) cDNAs from BHK21 cells derived from Golden hamsters. One type of cdk2 (cdk2hm) encodes the 32 kDa protein consisting of 298 predicted amino acids and shows strong homology to the cdk2 cDNAs of humans and Xenopus. The other cdk2 (cdk2Lhm) encodes the 38 kDa protein containing the insertion of 48 amino acids in the cdk2hm protein. Immunoblotting analysis suggested that these two types of cdk2 protein exist in mammalian cells. The cdk2hm has the activity of protein kinase, while the cdk2Lhm does not, however, both bind with cyclin E.

Evaluation of serum amyloid A protein as an acute-phase reactive protein in horses

Serum amyloid A protein (SAA) was isolated from equine acute-phase serum by repeating Sephadex G-75 gel filtration 3 times. Quantitative measurement of equine SAA was performed by the single radial immunodiffusion technique with rabbit anti-equine SAA serum. In clinically normal horses, the SAA concentration remained relatively high from immediately after birth up to 1 week of age. After this the concentration showed periodic fluctiation in the range of approximately 13 to 30 micrograms/ml. The mean (+/- SD) concentration of SAA in foals (< or = 12 months old) and in adult horses (> or = 18 months old) was 19.37 +/- 9.41 and 21.53 +/- 9.81 micrograms/ml, respectively. In mares during the perinatal period, the SAA concentration remained stable and within the normal range for 4 months before parturition. After foaling, it increased quickly and reached a peak value of 136.78 +/- 56.74 micrograms/ml on day 3 postpartum, and then began to decrease at 2 weeks postpartum returning to within the normal range by 1 month postpartum. In horses with experimentally induced inflammation, the SAA concentration increased quickly, and reached the highest value, approximately 4 to 20 times higher than pre-treatment values, on day 2 after treatment. It then returned to the base line values within 10 days to 4 weeks, concurrent with the disappearance of local inflammatory signs. The SAA concentration was very high in most horses with clinical signs of inflammation. It was concluded from these data that equine SAA was a sensitive acute-phase reactive protein which increased in the early phase of various acute inflammations.

Health problems among Vietnamese refugees resettled in Japan

A medical examination of 932 Vietnamese refugees was conducted within 1 month of their resettlement in Japan between 1989 and 1991. A variety of abnormalities were detected, including parasitic disease (78% prevalence), anemia (12%), HBsAg positive state (14%), liver dysfunction (10%), hypertension (0.8%), active pulmonary tuberculosis (2%) and syphilis (0.7%). These rates were still as high as the prevalence in previous studies of earlier immigrants from Vietnam. The high frequency of infectious diseases in recent Vietnamese refugees compared with the Japanese community leads to a recommendation for continuing medical examinations and treatment for new Vietnamese refugees.

Ultrastructure of calcified muscle fibres at the implantation site of demineralized bone matrix gelatin

To clarify the mechanism of calcification during new bone formation induced by demineralized bone matrix gelatin (BMG), BMG was implanted into the skeletal muscle of Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats and histological changes were examined 1,2,3,5,7 and 10 days later. From day 2 after implantation, calcification was observed in muscle fibres near the implanted BMG. Calcification of the BMG ('acellular mineral deposition') was first seen on day 3 and in both, calcification increased. The calcification of muscle fibre was first seen in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and then in mitochondria or lipid droplet-like structures of satellite cells. The muscle mineral deposition occurred without osteogenic cells and matrix vesicles in the same way as 'acellular mineral deposition'.

Role of marginal stress fibers formed in the rat vascular endothelial cells

Fluorescence cytochemistry using en face preparations of rat vascular endothelial cells (ECs) revealed the localization of actin, fibronectin (FN) and fibronectin receptor (FNR) along not only central stress fibers (SFs) but also the cell margins. Electron microscopy showed very close proximity between the topographical distribution of intracellular microfilament bundles and that of subendothelial FN in the EC margins. Therefore, these basal and marginal actin cables may be comparable to the well-established central SFs present in ECs. Formation of the central SFs was induced in ECs or mesothelial cells in response to tension, by which their cellular integrity seems to be effectively maintained. However, even when central SF formation was inhibited by cytochalasin D, the ECs with marginal SFs showed high resistance to mechanical tension, whereas mesenteric mesothelial cells having no such fibers easily lost their integrity. Thus, together with central SFs, the marginal SFs characteristic of rat vascular ECs may play an essential role in strengthening cell-matrix adhesion.

Electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analysis of serum transferrin isoforms in patients with carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein syndrome

We previously reported that the carbohydrate-deficient glycoprotein (CDG) syndrome is an asparagine-N-linked sugar chain transfer deficiency [Yamashita et al. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 5783-5789]. In order to confirm this hypothesis, we applied electrospray ionization-mass spectrometric analysis to transferrin isoforms purified from patients with the CDG syndrome. Transferrin isoforms containing 4, 2, and 0 sialic acid residues, S4, S2, and S0, were separated by Mono Q anion exchange column chromatography from serum of a patient with the CDG syndrome. The molecular masses of S4, S2, and S0 were determined to be 79,570 +/- 5, 77,364 +/- 6, and 75,157 +/- 6 Da by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI/MS). The differences between S4 and S2, and between S2 and S0 were both in accordance with the molecular mass of a disialylated biantennary sugar chain [Neu5Ac alpha 2-->6Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->2Man alpha 1-->6(Neu5Ac alpha 2-->6Gal beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->2Man alpha 1-->3)Man beta 1-->4GlcNAc beta 1-->4GlcNAc] (2,206 Da), showing that S0 is nonglycosylated, and that S4 and S2 carry 2 and 1 mol of asparagine-N-linked sugar chains, respectively. The nonglycosylated asparagine site of S2 was elucidated to be random by high performance liquid chromatography-ESI/MS of a tryptic peptide of reduced and pyridylethylated S2.ESI/MS analysis of transferrin purified through one step from serum is applicable for a definite diagnosis of the CDG syndrome.

Immunocytochemical identification of growth hormone (GH) cells in the pituitary of three anuran species using an antiserum against purified bullfrog GH

An antiserum was prepared against the recently purified bullfrog (bf) growth hormone (GH); it was applied to sections of brain and pituitary of three urodele (Ambystoma, Pleurodeles and Cynops) and three anuran (Xenopus, Bufo vulgaris and B. japonicus) species. No immunostaining was obtained in the urodele pituitary, being consistent with the results of immunoblot analysis of the pituitary homogenate. In the three anuran species, strong immunoreactivity was observed in GH cells that were concentrated in the posterodorsal region of the pars distalis. No GH-like immunoreactivity was detectable in the brain of any of the species. A comparison using adjacent sections stained with anti-bf prolactin (PRL) confirmed the anteroventral localization of PRL cells. Colocalization of GH and PRL was not apparent. These data suggest that the molecular structure of amphibian GHs is considerably different between anurans and urodeles. The antiserum used in the present work shows a high species specificity, recognizing only anuran GHs. In contrast anti-bfPRL labeled PRL cells in all the amphibian species studied in the present work, suggesting that PRLs possess common amino acid sequences recognized by the anti-bfPRL.