Effect of high sucrose feeding on fat accumulation in the male Wistar rat

High sucrose intake is generally thought to be a risk factor for obesity and insulin resistance. We examined the effects of feeding sucrose on fat accumulation and insulin release in male rats. Six-week-old male Wistar rats were maintained on a high sucrose diet for 4 or 12 weeks. Control rats were fed a diet based on starch. No significant difference in daily caloric intake or weight gain existed between the two dietary groups. There was no difference between the two dietary groups in the gain of abdominal subcutaneous fat (SC) at 4-week. In contrast, rats fed the high sucrose diet had significantly more mesenteric fat (MES) than controls (p < 0.01). At 12 weeks, rats fed the high sucrose diet had significantly more SC and MES than controls (SC: p < 0.05, MES: p < 0.01). Basal immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations in the portal vein (PV) of rats fed the high sucrose diet was significantly higher compared to those of controls (4 wk: p < 0.05, 12 wk: p < 0.05). No difference between the two dietary groups in basal IRI concentrations in the inferior vena cava (IVC) existed at 4 weeks; whereas at 12 weeks, the basal IRI concentrations in the IVC in rats fed the high sucrose diet were significantly higher than in controls (p < 0.05). The mesenteric and subcutaneous fat accumulations were closely related to hyperinsulinemia in the portal vein and inferior vena cava, respectively. Twelve weeks of high sucrose feeding caused accumulation of abdominal adipose tissue with marked hyperinsulinemia and hyperlipidemia. Our study is the first to demonstrate that abdominal fat induced by high sucrose intake in male rats is accompanied by an abnormal metabolic state similar to an insulin-resistant state.

Asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension complicated with antiphospholipid syndrome case

A 48-year-old woman with antiphospholipid syndrome (APS) developed pulmonary hypertension without any thromboembolic episode. Multiple pulmonary perfusion defects suggestive of pulmonary thrombosis or in situ thrombosis were observed. Deep venous thrombosis (DVT) of the right femoral vein without symptoms was also detected by contrast venography. Asymptomatic pulmonary hypertension complicated with a hypercoagulable state such as in this case suggests that not only recurrent asymptomatic pulmonary thrombosis, but also in situ thrombosis in pulmonary vessels are possible and important factors in the pathogenesis of pulmonary hypertension.

Prevention of cerebral vasospasm by calcitonin gene-related peptide slow-release tablet after subarachnoid hemorrhage in monkeys

OBJECTIVE

The goal of this work was to investigate the efficacy of a calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP) slow-release tablet (CGRP tablet) for the prevention of cerebral vasospasm after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH).

METHODS

Experimental SAH was produced in 10 cynomolgus monkeys by placing a clot around the internal carotid artery bifurcation (Day 0). In five animals, CGRP tablets (1200 micrograms of CGRP) were then placed in the cerebrospinal fluid space (CGRP group). In two animals, placebo tablets were similarly placed (placebo group). The remaining three animals were treated with no tablets after SAH (SAH group). A series of angiographic analyses were performed, before SAH and on Days 7 and 14, to examine changes in the diameters of the ipsilateral internal carotid artery, middle cerebral artery, and anterior cerebral artery. The CGRP concentration in the cerebrospinal fluid taken before each angiogram was also determined.

RESULTS

In the SAH and placebo groups, cerebral vasospasm developed on Day 7 (54.8% of the pre-SAH value at the internal carotid artery, 62.3% at the middle cerebral artery, 51.3% at the anterior cerebral artery, and 56.1% as an average of the three arteries). In the CGRP group, vasospasm was significantly ameliorated at the middle cerebral artery, at the anterior cerebral artery, and on average (81.7, 81.1, and 75.7%, P < 0.05, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively). The CGRP concentration was positive only on Day 7 for the CGRP group (6.5 nmol/L).

CONCLUSION

The CGRP tablet prevented cerebral vasospasm after SAH and may have significant potential for the treatment of patients with SAH.

R278TER and P431L mutations of the tyrosinase gene exist in Japanese patients with tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism

We examined the tyrosinase gene of two Japanese patients with tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism by allele-specific amplification analysis on two known point mutations in Japanese, and the results indicated that they were compound heterozygouts, namely, one allele of the tyrosinase gene harbored one of two known mutations and another allele probably had a mutation unknown in Japanese patients. Therefore, we have cloned and sequenced the tyrosinase gene of the two patients and identified two different point mutations. One is a nonsense mutation, codon 278CGA (Arg) to TGA (TER), and the other is a substitution mutation, codon 431CCA (Pro) to CTA (Leu). However, these same mutations have already been observed in a Guyanan and a Moroccan Jewish patient, and in an Indo-Pakistani patient, respectively.

Multiple nodular lesions seen in a patient with neurocutaneous melanosis

Neurocutaneous melanosis is a rare congenital syndrome characterized by the presence of large or multiple congenital melanotic nevi and benign or malignant pigment cell tumors of the leptomeninges. A 2-month-old female infant was referred to our department with widespread pigmented nevi, numerous blackish-brown, elevated, firm nodules, eye lesions, temporal bone defect, and generalized convulsion. The sizes of the nodules were from 0.5 to 3 cm; they were either white, black, brown or red, and some of them were eroded and bleeding. Magnetic resonance imaging using gadolinium contrast (MRI-Gd) demonstrated hydrocephalus, defect of the temporal bone, and T1-short and T2-long areas near the cerebrum and the thoracic vertebra (Th 4-5), suggesting the presence of melanosis in the central nervous system. Biopsy specimen of a firm, black nodule of a pigmented lesion on her shoulder revealed sheets of nevomelanocytes in the dermis with a few mitoses and large atypical cells that were positive for HMB-45 and formaldehyde-induced green specific fluorescence. Although this histological architecture is compatible with that of congenital nevi, occasional occurrence of atypical mitoses in the dermis may constitute an early stage of malignant melanoma. To make a definite diagnosis, however, long-time follow-up and repeated skin biopsy are considered necessary.

Prevalence of hormone replacement therapy and user's characteristics: a community survey in Japan

OBJECTIVES

It is quite recently that much interest has been paid to the benefits of hormone replacement therapy (HRT) in Japan. We conducted a community survey in Japan in 1992 to examine the prevalence of HRT use and factors related to HRT use.

METHODS

A total of 8791 female residents aged 45-64 years old in a city of the Gifu Prefecture, Japan, responded to the questionnaire including medical and reproductive histories, lifetime occupational history, diet, exercise, smoking and drinking habits, and use of vitamin supplements or medications. The response rate was 94.2%.

RESULTS

Overall, 2.5% of women reported current use of HRT and 6.3% had used HRT previously. The highest prevalence of current use was found among postmenopausal women with surgical menopause (4.8%). Current users were more likely to have participated in cancer screenings, and to have used vitamin supplements or calcium during the past year.

CONCLUSIONS

HRT use rate was 2.5% among female residents aged 45-64 years old in a Japanese community in 1992. Current users may have more regard for their health status.

Localization of laminin-5 in the epidermal basement membrane

Laminin-5 (kalinin/nicein/BM600) is a component of the epidermal basement membrane zone. Previous en bloc pre-embedding immunogold electron microscopy (EM) has shown that the epitope of GB3, a monoclonal antibody against laminin-5, is present in the lamina lucida (LL). However, precise localization of the entire laminin-5 molecule was unclear because of uneven and limited penetration of gold-labeled antibody in pre-embedding immunolabeling. In addition, the location of the GB3 epitope may not directly represent the location of the laminin-5 moelcule itself. To elucidate the precise ultrastructural distribution of the entire laminin-5 molecule, we used polyclonal antibodies against different sites of laminin-5. Dual staining immunofluorescence with anti-laminin-5 and anti-melanocyte antibodies and immunoperoxidase EM showed that laminin-5 was present only beneath keratinocytes and not beneath melanocytes. Both cryoultramicrotomy and postembedding immunogold EM demonstrated that laminin-5 was localized to the lamina densa (LD) and the lower LL, with major labeling beneath the hemidesmosome. Quantitative analysis showed that 67-69% of gold particles were distributed to the LD and 88-90% were distributed beneath the hemidesmosome. Our results indicate that laminin-5 is localized mainly to the LD and partially to the lower LL, and is associated predominantly with hemidesmosomes.

Cancer-associated retinopathy in a patient with endometrial cancer

PURPOSE

We studied a case of unusual retinopathy in a 60-year-old woman.

METHOD

The patient developed bilateral retinopathy with iridocyclitis and vitreitis. Corticosteroid therapy could not prevent deterioration of visual acuity and field. The electroretinogram became nonrecordable, and fluorescein angiogram exhibited retinal pigment epithelium window defects, fluorescein stainings to the vascular walls, and narrowed arterioles.

RESULTS

The patient underwent hysterectomy and lymphadenectomy for endometrial cancer in the corporis uteri. She was found to possess antibodies against retinal 34-kd protein, leading to a diagnosis of cancer-associated retinopathy.

CONCLUSION

Cancer-associated retinopathy may occur in patients with endometrial cancer of the corporis uteri.

Isolation and characterization of N-acetyl-S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl) ethyl]-L-cysteine, a new metabolite of histidine, from normal human urine and its formation from S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl) ethyl]-L-cysteine

N-Acetyl-S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (I), a new imidazole compound with a sulfur-containing side chain, was isolated from normal human urine by ion-exchange column chromatography, and characterized by physicochemical analyses involving 1H-NMR spectrometry, mass spectrometry and high-voltage paper electrophoresis as well as chemical synthesis. Approximately five milligrams of crystals of the compound were obtained from 450 litres of the urine. Compound I was synthesized by the addition of N-acetyl-L-cysteine to urocanic acid. The compound was also formed by incubation of S-[2-carboxy-1-(1 H-imidazol-4-yl)ethyl]-L-cysteine (II) with acetyl-CoA in the use of rat kidney or liver homogenate as an enzyme source in a Tris buffer at pH 7.4. Rat brain and spleen homogenates were the less or no effective preparations as the enzyme source. On the other hand, little N-acetylation of a diastereomer of compound II occurred in enzymatic reactions with rat tissue homogenates. Compound I was degraded to compound II by rat kidney or liver homogenate. These results suggest that compound I is a new N-acetylated metabolite of compound II, a compound previously found in human urine, and that the acetylating enzyme recognizes stereoisomerism of asymmetric carbon atoms on the molecule of compound II. These findings support an alternative pathway of L-histidine catabolism initiated by the adduction of glutathione and/or cysteine to urocanic acid, the first catabolite of histidine.

Homozygous deletion mutations in the plectin gene (PLEC1) in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex associated with late-onset muscular dystrophy

In a distinct autosomal recessive variant of epidermolysis bullosa, EB-MD, life-long skin blistering is associated with late-onset muscular dystrophy of unknown etiology. Electron microscopy of these patients' skin suggests that tissue separation occurs intracellularly at the level of the hemidesmosomal inner plaque, which contains plectin, a high molecular weight cytoskeletal associated protein, also expressed in the sarcolemma of the muscle. In this study, we report two patients with EB-MD, each with a homozygous deletion mutation in the plectin gene, PLEC1. In the first case, the proband and her similarly affected sister had a homozygous 9 bp deletion mutation, designated as 2719de19, which resulted in elimination of three amino acids, QEA, in a sequence of 23 amino acids entirely conserved between the mouse and human sequences. The proband in the second family demonstrated a single nucleotide deletion at position 5866, designated as 5866delC, which resulted in frameshift and a premature termination codon for translation 16 bp downstream from the site of deletion. The absence of plectin in the hemidesmosomes, as reflected by negative immunofluorescence with an anti-plectin antibody (HD-1), associated with fragility of basal keratinocytes, implicates plectin as critical for binding of intermediate keratin filament network to hemidesmosomal complexes. The function of plectin as a putative attachment protein also in the muscle would explain the clinical phenotype consisting of cutaneous fragility and muscular dystrophy in EB-MD.

Relation between severity of magnesium deficiency and frequency of anginal attacks in men with variant angina

OBJECTIVES

We evaluated whether the severity of magnesium deficiency was correlated with the frequency of attacks of variant angina.

BACKGROUND

Magnesium deficiency may be associated with the development of variant angina. However, the relation between the activity of variant angina and magnesium deficiency remains to be elucidated.

METHODS

We assessed the body magnesium status of 18 men with variant angina: Group 1 (> or = 4 attacks/week, n = 7) and Group 2 (< 4 attacks/week, n = 11). Concentrations of magnesium were determined in serum, urine, mononuclear cells and erythrocytes, and the 24-h magnesium retention rate was determined.

RESULTS

Group 1 showed a higher 24-h magnesium retention rate (mean +/- SEM 63.5 +/- 7.6% vs. 24.9 +/- 2.7%, p < 0.01) and a lower intracellular concentration of magnesium in mononuclear cells and erythrocytes than did Group 2 (respectively, 156.3 +/- 13.5 vs. 212.1 +/- 6.9 fg/cell, p < 0.01; and 3.5 +/- 0.5 vs. 5.2 +/- 0.4 fg/cell, p < 0.05), demonstrating the presence of magnesium deficiency in Group 1. The 24-h magnesium retention rate and intracellular concentrations of magnesium in mononuclear cells and erythrocytes correlated well with the frequency of anginal attacks (r = 0.78, p < 0.01; r = -0.78, p < 0.01; r = -0.62, p < 0.01, respectively) for all patients.

CONCLUSIONS

Data suggest that the magnesium status of men with variant angina is closely related to disease activity.

A clinical study of direct pulp capping applied to carious-exposed pulps

Direct pulp capping of carious-exposed pulp was performed on 44 teeth. We evaluated the success rates of these cases, and analyzed the relationships between the success rates and their clinical findings. Furthermore, we examined the length of time necessary for adequate postoperative follow-up. The success rate in this study was 81.8%. Age of the patients, type of teeth, responses to thermal stimuli and percussion, and the diameter of pulpal exposure had no bearing on the success rate. However, the degree of bleeding on pulpal exposure was related to the success rate (p = 0.042). The success rates of cases in which postoperative follow-up periods were 3 to 18 months were similar (80 to 83%), whereas those with follow-up for 21 months (91.7%) and 24 months (100%) showed higher success rates. These results showed that direct pulp capping was applicable to carious-exposed pulp, and the degree of bleeding is indicative of the prognosis of this treatment. The length of time necessary for adequate postoperative follow-up was suggested to be 21 months.

Histamine augments VCAM-1 expression on IL-4- and TNF-alpha-stimulated human umbilical vein endothelial cells

Interaction between vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1) on endothelial cells and CD49d molecules on eosinophils is thought to mediate the selective infiltration of eosinophils into inflamed tissues in allergic disease. IL-4 and TNF-alpha are associated with allergic conditions, and they have been shown to selectively augment VCAM-1 expression on endothelial cells, suggesting that they may be responsible for VCAM-1 expression in allergic disease. We used immunocytochemical staining analysis to examine the effect of chemical mediators, including histamine, leukotrienes and platelet-activating factor (PAF), on VCAM-1 expression in IL-4- and TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelial cells. Histamine, significantly augmented (p < 0.05 to p < 0.01) VCAM-1 expression in both IL-4- and TNF-alpha-stimulated endothelial cells. IL-4 and TNF-alpha were found to have a synergistic effect on endothelial cell VCAM-1 expression, when compared with the effect of stimulation with each of these cytokines separately, and the addition of histamine further increased VCAM-1 expression. This enhancing effect of histamine was inhibited by the presence of mepyramine and thioperamide but not by cimetidine. Another chemical mediator, PAF, failed to induce any increase in VCAM-1 expression, however, leukotrienes augmented it slightly in a narrow range of concentrations. The histamine-induced augmentation of VCAM-1 expression was reflected functionally by many more eosinophils attaching to endothelial cells than to cells stimulated with both cytokines. This attachment of eosinophils was inhibited by the presence of antibody to VCAM-1 and CD49d. Addition of histamine 10 h after stimulation with both cytokines still induced an increase in VCAM-1 expression. In addition, an inhibitor of RNA polymerase, alpha-amanitin, dose-dependently decreased this histamine-induced augmentation of VCAM-1 expression. These findings strongly suggest that histamine upregulates VCAM-1 expression at the transcriptional level through newly generated of mRNA in endothelial cells stimulated with IL-4 and TNF-alpha.

Birth season and breast cancer risk in Japan

Recent studies suggest that prenatal or early post-natal factors may influence future breast cancer risk. To investigate whether month of birth is a risk factor for breast cancer, we analyzed the distribution of month of birth for 81,162 women died of breast cancer and 1,334,650 women died of cancers at all sites, who were reported to the Ministry of Health and Welfare from 1972-90 in Japan. After considering each birth year seasonal variations in month of birth were not shown statistically significant in any age-group through using chi 2 test (df = 11). The negative results were also confirmed in residential area and period category.

Evaluation of the bystander effect in experimental brain tumors bearing herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase gene by serial magnetic resonance imaging

Antitumor effects of herpes simplex virus-thymidine kinase (HSV-tk) gene transfer followed by ganciclovir (GCV) administration were studied by serial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with reference to the bystander effect. Mixed populations of 9L-gliosarcoma cells transduced with the HSV-tk gene (TK cells) and wild-type 9L cells were implanted into the brain of syngeneic Fisher rats at various ratios (total cell number, 10(5) cells; percentage of TK cells, 100%, 25%, 10%, or 0%). Rats were treated with GCV (30 mg/kg per day) or saline for 14 days and tumor masses were visually monitored using MRI. All of the saline-treated rats (regardless of TK cell percentage) and GCV-treated rats inoculated with 0% TK cells died between day 19 and day 31 (mean survival, 22.9 days) due to progressive tumor growth. The GCV-treated rats inoculated with more than 10% of TK cells lived significantly longer than the saline-treated rats (p < 0.01). The mean survivals of GCV-treated groups were 50.7, 70.0, and longer than 100 days for 10%, 25%, and 100% TK cells, respectively. MRI study revealed that reduction in tumor size and disappearance of tumor were observed in the GCV-treated rats inoculated with 10% or 25% TK cells. Complete regression of the tumor was, however, observed only in the rats implanted with 100% TK cells. The present results show that the bystander effect is clearly observed in vivo in a TK percentage-dependent manner, and a population of more than 25% of TK-positive cells is required for complete tumor elimination.

Development of calcitonin gene-related peptide slow-release tablet implanted in CSF space for prevention of cerebral vasospasm after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage

The calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP), a known potent intrinsic cerebral vasodilator, is contained in the sensory nerves from trigeminal ganglia that inervate the cerebral arteries. We previously reported that human alpha CGRP (hCGRP) dilates spastic cerebral arteries after experimental subarachnoid haemorrhage (SAH) in rabbits. In the present study, we investigated the prophylactic potential of a sustained higher cerebrospinal fluid level of hCGRP against experimental cerebral vasospasm. An hCGRP slow-release tablet (hCGRP s-r tablet) was developed for cisternal implantation. Experimental SAH was induced by percutaneous cisternal injection of autologous arterial blood. Angiography was initiated on day 1 (before SAH) and performed everyday. The hCGRP s-r tablet was implanted into the cisterna magna on day 2 in the treated groups. The spastic response of the basilar artery was maximized on day 4 in the non-treated (80.7% of day 1) and the placebo-treated (79.3%) groups. In contrast, the arterial diameters on day 4 were 96.1% and 90.5% of day 1 in the groups implanted with hCGRP 24 micrograms and 153 micrograms s-r tablets, respectively. We also measured the concentration of hCGRP in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) following implantation of the hCGRP 24 micrograms s-r tablet in the cisterna magna. The hCGRP concentration before implantation was below the dectable level. Following implantation, the hCGRP level in the CSF was 23.12 nmol/L on the second day and remained at elevated levels until the fifth day. These experiments suggest that the intrathecal single implantation of the hCGRP s-r tablet could produce an elevated concentration of hCGRP in the CSF over five days and have prevented the cerebral vasospasm after SAH in the rabbit. The hCGRP s-r tablet may be clinically applicable in the treatment of patients with SAH against cerebral vasospasm.

Application of alginate gel as a vehicle for liposomes. I. Factors affecting the loading of drug-containing liposomes and drug release

To explore the feasibility of alginate gel as a vehicle for liposomes, we investigated the effects of various factors associated with the loading of drug-containing liposomes into the gel beads. The loading process includes (I) mixing of liposomes and alginate solution, (2) calcium induced gelation of alginates, (3) the time-dependent contraction of a gel body squeezing out interior water, and (4) possible leakage or release of a drug entrapped in liposomes in a series of each of theses processes. These effects were examined in terms of the leakage of a marker 5(6)-carboxyfluorescein (CF) from liposomes of egg phosphatidylcholine (EPC) and EPC/cholesterol (EPC/Cho) and liposome (phosphorus) release from curing and fully-cured gel beads whose initial polymer concentrations were 4 and 2%. Major findings were: (1) Alginate induced the leakage of a water-soluble drug incorporated in the liposomes as a function of the polymer concentration and the mixing time. (2) Calcium ions also stimulated the leakage of the drug. EPC/Cho liposomes were several times more resistant to the leakage of CF than were EPC liposomes. (3) The liposomes were well loaded without any loss in the gel bead despite the squeezing outflow of water and the bead contraction during gel curing. (4) Such curing caused leakage of the drug from the EPC liposomes in the very early stage while no effect was observed in the EPC/Cho liposomes. (5) In the gel-eroding medium (pH 7.4 Tris-HCl, 37 degrees C), the total drug release was controlled by the erosion rate of the bead body. Immediately after the bead erosion, EPC liposomes retained about 60% of the drug in the 2% bead and only about 20% in the 4% bead, whereas EPC/Cho liposomes retained more than 85% regardless of the initial alginate concentration. The results provide valuable information for the design and applicability of the gel-loaded liposome delivery system.

Expression and ultrastructural localization of HMB-45 antigen

HMB-45 is a monoclonal antibody specific for melanoma cells and premature developing melanocytes. We examined the expression and specific subcellular binding sites of HMB-45 in various types of melanocytes including epidermal melanocytes from fetuses and infants with or without tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism (type IA), melanin-producing and non-producing melanoma cell lines (G361 and MeWo), and in vivo melanoma cells (melanotic and amelanotic malignant melanoma). Subcellular HMB-45 binding was examined by using post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy with rapid freezing and freeze substitution fixation methods without the use of chemical fixatives to preserve the intracytoplasmic delicate antigen property of HMB-45. HMB-45 antigen was detected not only in in vivo melanoma cells and normal fetal melanocytes, but also in melanocytes in the other conditions. Post-embedding immunogold electron microscopy revealed that HMB-45 antigen was exclusively localized to stages I and II melanosomes in the cytoplasm of neoplastic melanocytes, but was detected mainly on stages II and III melanosomes in the melanocytes from fetuses and infants. In tyrosinase-negative oculocutaneous albinism, only stages I and II melanosomes were detected in the cytoplasm, but both stages of melanosomes were HMB-45 positive. We conclude that HMB-45 appears mainly on the immature melanosomes during melanogenesis in both neoplastic and non-neoplastic melanocytes regardless of their tyrosinase activity, but the intracytoplasmic localization of HMB-45 antigen is different by each condition of melanocytes.

Epidermolysis bullosa: diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis

Recent advances in the diagnosis and prenatal diagnosis of severe forms of epidermolysis bullosa (EB) have been reviewed. Using electron microscopy and immunohistochemistry of specific monoclonal antibody, foetal skin biopsy during the second trimester of pregnancy has been utilized successfully for the prenatal diagnosis of EB. Recently, elucidation of the specific gene mutation in affected individuals allowed us to perform DNA-based prenatal diagnosis during the first trimester of pregnancy. Our own experience with prenatal diagnosis of EB at the Special Clinic for Inherited Skin Disorders at Keio University Hospital for the last six years is summarized.

Application of non-radiolabeled in situ hybridization system for the detection of polyadenylated RNA to normal and psoriatic human skin

The concentration and distribution of total mRNA is thought to reflect cellular activity. To clarify the distribution of total mRNA in normal and psoriatic human skin, in situ hybridization with a digoxigenin-labeled poly(dT) probe was carried out. In normal skin, polyadenylated RNA was distributed uniformly throughout the epidermis, including the basal, spinous, and granular layers. The nucleus and cytoplasm of skin appendages were stained more strongly than those of epidermal cells. The concentration of total mRNA in the epidermis of psoriatic skin was thought to be increased because of strong staining, especially in the basal layer, compared with that in normal epidermis, possibly reflecting hyperproliferation of keratinocytes. Results suggest that in situ hybridization with a poly(dT) probe is a useful strategy to study total mRNA distribution in human skin.

A case-control study of myelodysplastic syndromes among Japanese men and women

To determine the risk factors of the myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS) we conducted a case-control study in Japan. One hundred and sixteen MDS patients were diagnosed from 1 September to 31 October 1992 and from 1 August to 31 October 1993 in the 32 hospitals enrolled in the idiopathic Disorders of Hematopoietic Organs Research Committee. Age, sex, and hospital-matched controls were selected for each case. Information on cigarette smoking and drinking habits, hair dye use, history of keeping pet animals, and occupational exposures to organic solvents, lead and radiation was obtained from self-administered questionnaires. Conditional logistic regression was applied to this individually matched case-control study and odds ratios (ORs) were computed to estimate association between each exposure variable and risk of MDS. Alcohol drinking was associated with increased risk of MDS (OR = 2.15; 95% confidence interval = 1.12-4.16) and there was a significant trend in risk with increasing amounts of ethanol consumed per week (P < 0.05). We also found elevated ORs for cigarette smokers (OR = 1.80), users of hair dye products (OR = 1.77), and workers exposed to organic solvents (OR = 1.50), although these ratios were not statistically significant. Exposure to pet animals was not associated with risk of MDS. The association observed between alcohol drinking and MDS was still eminent even after adjusted with other variables of cigarette smoking, hair dye use and occupational exposure to organic solvents, and the dose-response relationship was also confirmed.

Hypertonic glucose impairs glucose-induced increases in cytosol Ca2+ concentration and insulin secretion by HIT-T 15 cells

To evaluate the mechanism of an impaired insulin secretion under diabetic state, we studied the influence of graded degrees of isotonic and hypertonic glucose on the rise in cytosol Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) and insulin secretion by HIT-T 15 cells. [Ca2+]i was monitored with Fura-2 and insulin secretion was measured with static culture. Both isotonic and hypertonic glucose induced a dose-dependent [Ca2+]i rise and insulin secretion. Although low degrees of isotonic and hypertonic glucose (5 and 15 mM) were equally effective to cause both increases in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion, high degrees of isotonic glucose (30 and 60 mM) were clearly more effective than the same degrees of hypertonic glucose. The addition of 30 mM sucrose in isotonic 30 mM glucose also decreased the induced increases in [Ca2+]i and insulin secretion, and isotonic sucrose was ineffective in inducing either an increase in [Ca2+]i or insulin secretion. Removal of medium Ca2+ inhibited the 30 mM isotonic glucose-induced [Ca2+]i rise and insulin secretion. These data suggest that an impaired rise in [Ca2+]i, which was caused by blocking of Ca2+ influx due to hyperosmolarity, may be one mechanism by which glucose can not stimulate appropriate insulin secretion under diabetic state.