A new bioactive bone cement: its histological and mechanical characterization

We have developed a bioactive bone cement using CaO-SiO 2-P 2O 5-CaF 2 glass powders and ammonium phosphate solution, and investigated its histological and mechanical characteristics in vivo. A bone defect was drilled in proximal metaphysis of the rat tibia and filled with the bioactive bone cement in paste form or polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement in the dough state. The cements were allowed to harden in situ. Histological examination demonstrated direct bonding between the new cement and bone by 4 weeks. The bioactive bone cement did not degrade up to 24 weeks postimplantation. The inflammatory reaction to the bioactive bone cement was less intense than the reaction induced by PMMA. Changes in the mechanical properties of the cement in vivo were studied by implanting hardened cylindrical specimens of both types of cement into the hindlimb muscles of rats for 12 weeks. The compressive strength of the bioactive cement increased significantly after implantation, and reached 68 MPa in 1 week and 73 MPa in 4 weeks. These values were comparable to those of PMMA, and were maintained up to 12 weeks after implantation. This bioactive bone cement hardens in situ within a few minutes with negligible rise of temperature and can be easily handled as a paste for filling bone cavities of different shapes. In addition, this cement has good osteoconductive and bone bonding potential and fairly high mechanical strength. Therefore, this new cement could be used both as a bioactive bone cement and bone defect filler.

A bioactive glass powder-ammonium hydrogen phosphate composite for repairing bone defects

Bioactive glass powder (AW-G) was made into a rigid compound by mixing with ammonium hydrogen phosphate and was evaluated as a bone-defect filler. The proximal metaphysis of the rat tibia was drilled and packed with (a) polymethyl-methacrylate (PMMA) bone cement, (b) AW-G powder, (c) AW-G powder with ammonium hydrogen phosphate (AW-G)-(A-P), or (d) nothing, as a control. The animals, with different implantation periods up to 24 weeks, were sacrificed and the defective sites were histologically analyzed. The results revealed direct bonding between the bone tissue and the (AW-G)-(A-P). The general inflammatory reaction of (AW-G)-(A-P) was less than that of PMMA bone cement. The compressive strength of (AW-G)-(A-P) implanted subcutaneously into rats was measured chronologically and deterioration did not occur during a period of 24 weeks. The rigidity increased to 1.6 times 6 months after implantation as compared with the initial value. This compound can be used as paste and is transformed into a rigid compound in about 4 min without noticeable elevation of the temperature. Thus, this (AW-G)-(A-P) composite can be used as a bone defect filler, and there is a possibility that it can even be used as a bone cement if higher rigidity can be attained.

A study of the bioactive bone cement--bone interface: quantitative and histological evaluation

The interface between bone and a bioactive glass cement--a mixture of bioactive glass powder and ammonium phosphate solution, previously reported on by the authors--was evaluated quantitatively and histologically. The materials tested were (1) the original bioactive glass cement (BCI cement); (2) an improved type of bioactive glass cement (BCII cement); (3) polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) bone cement; and (4) a bioactive, apatite-wollastonite-containing, glass ceramic (A-WGC). Hardened cylindrical specimens of each cement were inserted loosely into canine femora and the interfacial shear strengths were measured using a push-out test. The interfacial strength values of the bioactive glass cements increased with prolonged implantation time. At each postimplantation time studied (8, 12, and 24 weeks), the interfacial strength value of BCI cement did not differ significantly from that of A-WGC. BCII cement interfacial strength was greater than that of BCI cement, whereas the interfacial strength of PMMA bone cement remained at a very low level throughout the study. Histological examinations revealed that direct bonding of both bioactive glass cements to bone had occurred without pathologic degradation. After 24 weeks, the defects between the bone and the bioactive glass cements had been filled with mature lamellar bone. Because the bioactive glass cement system developed by the authors, especially BCII cement, shows excellent osteoconductivity and bonds to bone tightly, we consider it to be a promising material for fixing prostheses into bone.

[Study on the "signal" constituents for the evaluation of animal crude drugs. VI. The identification method of cervi parvum cornu in medicines using DNA analysis]

Cervi Parvum Cornu has been widely used as an agent in commercially available tonic medicines. The establishment of the method for the identification of each agent, especially crude drugs in formulations, is very important from the viewpoint of the quality control of drugs. In this paper, we reported the examination on the extraction method of DNA from the formulations, and also on the PCR method using four sets of primers, amplifying the DNA fragments of the regions of 12S rRNA and/or cytochrome b genes. The same size of DNA fragments as in the Cervi Parvum Cornu reference sample were found in all PCR products obtained from four commercial tonic medicines investigated. Therefore, it was confirmed that Cervi Parvum Cornu was contained in all the tonic medicines used. The PCR method was found to be a useful method for the identification of Cervi Parvum Cornu in tonic medicines and the DNA fragments amplified by the PCR method was clarified to be also helpful materials as index constituents for Cervi Parvum Cornu.

Trizygotic pregnancy consisting of two fetuses and a complete hydatidiform mole with dispermic androgenesis

A triplet pregnancy in a 23-year-old woman was terminated at 15 weeks of gestation because of her severe hypertension, lung edema, and secondary hyperthyroidism. The pregnancy consisted of a hydatidiform mole with a 46,XY karyotype and two fetuses each with 46,XX and a 46,XY karyotype. To determine the zygosity and genetic origin of the mole and fetuses, PCR- and computer-assisted genotyping were performed at 27 CA-repeat marker loci that were distributed evenly over the genome. As a result, genotypes of the three pregnancy products were distinct from each other, indicating that the triplets were trizygotic. The mole lacked any maternal alleles but inherited both of the paternal alleles and/or one paternal allele in duplicate. This, along with the XY sex chromosome constitution, indicated that the mole resulted from dispermic androgenesis. The mother developed a persistent trophoblastic tumor thereafter.

Egg maturation in neotropical malaria vectors: one blood meal is usually enough

The requirement of more than one blood meal to complete a gonotrophic cycle is reported here to be infrequent among field-collected Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus), including Anopheles darlingi, South America's most important malaria vector. The overall frequencies of host-seeking females that did not develop eggs after one blood feeding were low for Anopheles darlingi (6.6%), Anopheles rondoni (5.0%), and Anopheles triannulatus (2.2%); the majority of wild-caught females that did not develop eggs after one blood meal were nulliparous. Laboratory-reared Anopheles albimanus and Anopheles albitarsis, other species of the same subgenus, were grown on enriched and impoverished larval diets to yield a range of adult sizes and to examine relationships between egg maturation, body size, and blood meal intake. 10.7% of nulliparous An. albimanus and 22.9% of An. albitarsis failed to mature eggs after sugar and one blood meal, and shorter wings and smaller blood meals predisposed females to require multiple blood feeds for egg maturation. Unmated An. albitarsis were significantly more likely than mated females not to develop eggs. Multiple blood meals within a single gonotrophic cycle appear to be less important in the life histories of neotropical Nyssorhynchus species compared to afrotropical malaria vectors.

Biologically selective potassium channel openers having 1,1-diethylpropyl group

To find out selective potassium channel openers (PCOs), we synthesized several 3,5-disubstituted phenylcyanoguanidine derivatives and investigated their structure-activity relationships (SAR). As a result, we discovered selective PCOs having 1,1-diethylpropyl group toward antihypertensive activity.

Molecular role for the Rab binding platform of guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor in endoplasmic reticulum to Golgi transport

Guanine nucleotide dissociation inhibitor (GDI) regulates the recycling of Rab GTPases involved in vesicle targeting and fusion. We have analyzed the requirement for conserved amino acid residues in the binding of Rab1A and the function of GDI in transport of cargo between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi apparatus. Using a new approach to monitor GDI-Rab interactions based on the change in fluorescence associated with the release of methylanthraniloyl guanosine di(tri)phosphate-GDP (mGDP) from Rab, we show that residues previously implicated in the binding of the synapse-specific Rab3A, including Gln-236, Arg-240, and Thr-248, are essential for the binding of Rab1A. Mutation of each of these residues has potent effects on the ability of GDI to remove Rab1A from membranes and inhibit ER to Golgi transport in vitro. Given the sequence divergence between Rab1A and 3A (35% identity), these residues are proposed to play a general role in GDI function in the cell. In contrast, several other residues found within or flanking the Rab-binding region were found to have differential effects in the recognition and recycling of Rab1A and 3A, and therefore direct selective interaction of GDI with individual Rab proteins. Intriguingly, mutation of one residue, Arg-70, led to a reduction of Rab1A binding, failed to extract Rab1A from membranes in vitro, yet bound membranes tightly and potently inhibited ER to Golgi transport. These results provide evidence that novel membrane-associated factor(s) mediate Rab-independent GDI interaction with membranes.

Human parvovirus B19-associated thrombocytopenic purpura

We report two patients who presented with thrombocytopenic purpura (TP) associated with primary human parvovirus B19 (B19) infection. One patient also had transient liver dysfunction. In both cases, B19-DNA was detected in serum and bone marrow by polymerase chain reaction. Six months after the illness in patient 1 and 8 months after the illness in patient 2, B19-DNA disappeared from the serum. Serum immunoglobulin (Ig)G antibody to B19 remained positive in both cases, but B19 IgM antibody became negative 3 months after the onset in case 1 and 4 months after the onset in case 2. The mechanism of TP by B19 infection is unknown.

Metallothionein deficiency promotes mouse skin carcinogenesis induced by 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene

To investigate a possible involvement of metallothionein (MT) in chemical carcinogenesis, MT-I and MT-II gene-deficient [MT (-/-)] transgenic mice and wild-type [MT (+/+)] control mice were topically applied at a single dose of 100, 250, 500, or 1000 microg of 7,12-dimethylbenz[a]anthracene (DMBA) on the dorsal skin and thereafter compared. After 14 weeks of DMBA treatment, the skin tumor occurred in MT (-/-) mice only and in a dose-dependent manner, whereas no change was observed in MT (+/+) mouse skin given the same DMBA treatment. The tumor cells showed proliferative activity, as shown by proliferative cell nuclear antigen staining. These results demonstrate that MT acts as an endogenous defensive factor against DMBA-induced skin tumorigenesis.

Functional outcome of double-stapled and transanal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis after proctocolectomy

Improvement of functional outcome after proctocolectomy for ulcerative colitis and familial adenomatous polyposis was compared between transanal ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (T-IAA group, n = 29) and double-stapled ileal pouch-anal anastomosis (DS-IAA group, n = 8). Clinical functions were evaluated using a functional scoring system, and physiologic functions by anorectal manometry after one year postoperatively. Although in the T-IAA group 4 of the 29 patients (13.8%) displayed partial incontinence (< 9 points), all of 8 patients in the DS-IAA group showed good results referring to continence (> 10 points). The maximum resting pressure was 44.3 +/- 5.2 cmH2O in the T-IAA group vs. 56.6 +/- 5.8 cmH2O in the DS-IAA group, and postoperatively the maximum squeezing pressure was 96.8 +/- 9.2 cmH2O in the T-IAA group vs. 106.3 +/- 8.1 cmH2O in the DS-IAA group. There was a significant difference of maximum resting pressure and no significant difference of maximum squeezing pressure between the two groups. The length of the high pressure zone in the anal canal was significantly shorter in patients of the T-IAA group (2.1 +/- 0.8 cm) than in those of the DS-IAA group (3.5 +/- 1.1 cm) (p < 0.05). The DS-IAA is associated with excellent objective physiologic and subjective functional results. This reflects the sacrifice of the internal anal sphincter 1.5 cm cephalad necessary to effect this anastomosis at a mean of 1.4 cm from the dentate line.

Carbamazepine-induced sinus node dysfunction and atrioventricular block in elderly women

We report on four elderly women in whom carbamazepine was suspected of inducing sinus node dysfunction (3 patients) and atrioventricular block (1 patient). Patients were treated with carbamazepine, 200 to 600 mg a day, for trigeminal neuralgia (n = 3) or epilepsy (n = 1). After 1 to 16 months of carbamazepine therapy, these patients were admitted to our emergency room because of bradyarrhythmia. Their conduction disturbances on electrocardiographic monitoring disappeared immediately after the cessation of carbamazepine intake. Provocation tests were performed on three patients. Because of renal insufficiency, one patient could not undergo the provocation test. Her carbamazepine clearance was markedly decreased. Carbamazepine induced sinus arrest in two patients within 48 hours after intake, but did not induce atrioventricular block in the remaining patient. In two patients, computer simulation of carbamazepine pharmacokinetics was performed and disclosed a clear-cut relationship between the plasma concentration of carbamazepine and the frequency of sinus arrest. During the test, the maximum plasma carbamazepine concentration in these two patients did not exceed the therapeutic range. However, it did exceed the range in the one with a negative test. Our results suggest that careful monitoring of ECG and plasma drug concentration is required with carbamazepine therapy, especially in elderly women.

Purification and characterization of ouabain-binding protein in human plasma

Ouabainlike factors are thought to be a kind of important modulators of salt and water metabolism in essential hypertension. We purified the binding-protein of ouabain (OBP) from human plasma. The amino-terminal sequence of OBP from human plasma, (NH2-TLGQPREPQVYTLPPXREEM-), indicated that OBP is the carboxy-terminal fragment (14.4 kDa by SDS-PAGE) from T218 of IgG2 heavy chain and from A221 of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. Moreover, plasmin-cleaved Fc fragment (pFc) of IgG possessed the ouabain-binding activity by the gel-filtration method of pFc and authentic ouabain mixture, whereas neither intact, aggregate, nor papain-cleaved Fc fragment did. The amino-terminal sequence of pFc was NH2-THTXPPXPAPELLGGPXVFL-, and this sequence corresponded to the T105 to L125 fragment of the IgG1 heavy chain constant region. The growth of cultured THP-1 cells were arrested in the dose-dependent manner by ouabain, which was inhibited by the addition of 20 microg/mL of pFc. These results suggested that plasmin-cleaved Fc of human IgG is one of the binding protein of ouabain/ouabainlike factor(s) in human plasma.

A plaque hybridization assay for quantifying and cloning infectious human immunodeficiency virus type 1 virions

A biological method was developed for quantifying and cloning of infectious virions of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1). Virus preparations were mixed with permissive cells for binding, and the cells were cast in an agarose gel. After incubation for 9 days viral particles released from infected cells propagating from each initially infected cell were transferred on nylon membrane and subjected to hybridization using a radioactive HIV-1 DNA probe. Infectious centers of HIV-1 were detected as hybridization spots on autoradiographs regardless of cytopathic effects or syncytium formation. Three different CD4+ cell lines (MT-4, MOLT-4 and U937) and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from healthy donors were used as recipient cells. Infectious virions were recovered from a portion of agarose gel corresponding to each hybridization spot. This assay is suitable for quantifying infectious HIV-1 virions with different cell tropisms and for investigating the relationship between the phenotype and genotype of HIV-1 at a clonal level.

Ultraviolet A radiation (320-400 nm) protects hairless mice from immunosuppression induced by ultraviolet B radiation (280-320 nm) or cis-urocanic acid

T cell-mediated immune function, here measured as the contact hypersensitivity reaction, is readily suppressed by moderate exposure of mice to ultraviolet B (UVB) or solar-simulated radiation (SSUV), or by topical application of cis-urocanic acid. The effect of ultraviolet A (UVA) radiation on immune function has been unclear. Here we have demonstrated that when UVA radiation from a fluorescent tube source was rigorously filtered to remove contaminating UVB radiation, it was immunologically innocuous at physiologically relevant doses. Furthermore, we have found that mice exposed to UVA radiation, either immediately after, or up to 24 h before, immunosuppressive treatment with either UVB radiation, SSUV or cis-urocanic acid, became refractory to the immunosuppression and retained more normal contact hypersensitivity. A greater UVA exposure reversed the immunosuppression more effectively. The results suggest that there are immunologically significant interactions between UV wavebands, and that UVA exposure may induce a relatively long-lived immunoprotective photoproduct, as yet unidentified, that can inhibit the activity of epidermal cis-urocanic acid and thus provide protection from photoimmunosuppression.

Vasodilator component in sympathetic nerve activity destined for the skin of the dorsal foot of mildly heated humans

1. Skin sympathetic nerve activity (SSNA) was recorded in seven male subjects from the peroneal nerve by microneurography, and the temporal correspondence of spontaneously occurring SSNA bursts with vasodilatation and sweating responses on the dorsal foot was studied during a mild body heating at rest. 2. Some SSNA bursts were followed by a sweat expulsion with a latency of 2.4 +/- 0.4 s, and some bursts by a transient vasodilatation with a latency of 2.2 +/- 0.4 s (means +/- S.D.). SSNA bursts followed both by a sweat expulsion and by a vasodilatation response (Type 1), those followed only by a sweat expulsion (Type 2) and those followed only by a vasodilatation, response (Type 3) were 70%, 10% and 1% of the total bursts examined, respectively. 3. For Type 1 bursts, there was a significant, but weak linear relationship among the burst amplitude, the amplitude of the corresponding vasodilatation and the amplitude of the corresponding sweat expulsion. 4. It was concluded that SSNA contains vasodilatory activity which is synchronous with sudomotor nerve activity. The results suggest that such vasodilatory activity contributes to sustaining the sweat gland function by supplying sufficient blood.

Effects of Sho-saiko-to on the pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics of tolbutamide in rats

Although Sho-saiko-to (Xiao Chai Hu Tang), a major Chinese traditional medicine, is frequently prescribed with other synthetic or biotechnological drugs for the treatment of various chronic diseases, there is a dearth of information about interactions between sho-saiko-to and co-administered drugs. This paper reports the effects of Sho-saiko-to on the pharmacokinetics and glucose responses of a sulphonylurea hypoglycaemic agent, tolbutamide, after their oral administration in rats. After oral administration of tolbutamide (50 mg kg(-1)) with or without Sho-saiko-to extract powder (300 mg kg(-1)) to male Sprague-Dawley rats cannulated in the jugular vein, plasma tolbutamide and glucose levels were periodically measured. Co-administration of Sho-saiko-to tended to elevate the plasma tolbutamide concentration in the absorption phase. A two-compartment lag-time model was found to describe the plasma tolbutamide concentration-time data. The maximum concentration of tolbutamide was significantly increased and time to reach the maximum concentration was reduced to about 70% by co-administration with Sho-saiko-to. There was no significant change in area under the curve or in the elimination half-life of tolbutamide. The extent of the lowering effect of tolbutamide on plasma glucose levels was increased up to 0.75 h and decreased after 5 h after co-administration of Sho-saiko-to. In conclusion, these studies suggest that sho-saiko-to slightly hastens the gastrointestinal absorption of tolbutamide. Furthermore, it is considered that elevation of the gastrointestinal absorption rate by Sho-saiko-to might potentiate the hypoglycaemic effect of this sulphonylurea in the early period after oral administration.

[Effects of KB-R7943, a novel Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury]

The effects of KB-R7943 (2-[2-[4-(4-nitrobenzyloxy)phenyl]ethyl]isothiourea methanesulfonate) on major ion transporters were studied in canine cardiac sarcolemmal and sarcoplasmic reticular vesicles. KB-R7943 inhibited the Na+/Ca2+ exchange more potently than the Na+/H+ exchange, the Na+/K(+)-ATPase and the Ca2(+)-ATPase. The effects of KB-R7943 on ischemia/reperfusion-induced injury were studied in isolated rat perfused hearts in comparison with those of diltiazem and lidocaine. In normal hearts, diltiazem (10 microM) and lidocaine (100 microM) markedly reduced contractile function, but KB-R7943 (1, 10 microM) had no such effect. In the hearts subjected to 25-min ischemia and 30-min reperfusion, KB-R7943 concentration-dependently and significantly improved post-ischemic recovery of left ventricular developed pressure, left ventricular dP/dtmax and left ventricular end-diastolic pressure by pre-ischemic treatment (5 min) or post-ischemic treatment (10 min). Diltiazem and lidocaine showed similar improvement of recovery by pre-ischemic treatment, but they had no effect by post-ischemic treatment. Furthermore, the effect of KB-R7943 on arrhythmia was studied in anesthetized rats subjected to 5-min cardiac ischmeia and 10-min reperfusion. KB-R7943 (1, 10 mg/kg, i.v.) dose-dependently reduced the incidence and the duration of ventricular fibrillation. These results indicate that KB-R7943, a selective Na+/Ca2+ exchange inhibitor, has beneficial effects against myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury and suggest that activation of the Na+/Ca2+ exchange mainly occurs immediately after reperfusion in the pathophysiological process of myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Effect of microstructure of titanium surface on the behaviour of osteogenic cell line MC3T3-E1

Three different microstructures were obtained on a titanium surface via immersion in HCl, H3PO4, or mixed acid of HNO3 and HF (HNO3/HF) solution. The microstructure and Rmax of the acid-treated surfaces were dependent on the acid type and immersion conditions. The growth rate of the osteogenic cell line MC3T3-E1 on each acid-treated sample, which was measured using MTT-formazan assay, was significantly higher than that of the standard which was ground with #400 SiC grit paper. Moreover, both the H3PO4 treated sample and the HNO3/HF-treated surface showed a tendency to enhance the alkaline phosphatase activity of MC3T3-E1 cells, which were grown on each acid-treated surface. These results suggest that the acid treatment of titanium is effective for the improvement of its osteocompatibility.

Acquisition of secretion of transforming growth factor-beta 1 leads to autonomous suppression of scavenger receptor activity in a monocyte-macrophage cell line, THP-1

Macrophage cells derived from the human monocytic leukemia cell line, THP-1, accumulate esterified cholesterol when cultivated in the presence of acetylated low density lipoprotein (Ac-LDL) through scavenger receptors (ScR). In the present study, we isolated a subtype of THP-1 cells that failed to accumulate esterified cholesterol when cultivated in the presence of Ac-LDL. The cells had negligible amounts of cell association and degradation of Ac-LDL compared with the parent THP-1 cells. The subtype THP-1 cells did not express ScR mRNA as well as that of lipoprotein lipase. In contrast, the expression of apolipoprotein E mRNA was greater than that found in parent THP-1 cells. The culture medium of subtype THP-1 cells treated with 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate inhibited the uptake of Ac-LDL and the expression of ScR in parent THP-1 cells. After a 48-h incubation in the culture medium containing 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate, the culture medium of differentiated subtype THP-1 cells contained 6.9 ng/ml transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta 1, while that of parent THP-1 cells secreted below detection level, which was less than 3 ng/ml. This inhibitory effect of the conditioned medium on the expression of ScR in parent THP-1 cells was abolished by pretreatment of the culture medium with anti-TGF-beta 1 antibodies. Parent THP-1 cells expressed as much TGF-beta 1 mRNA as sTHP-1 cells after stimulation of differentiation. Although the precursor forms of TGF-beta 1 that were synthesized in both parent and subtype THP-1 cells were of similar size and were expressed at similar levels, latent TGF-beta 1-binding protein, which is necessary for the secretion of TGF-beta 1, could only be co-immunoprecipitated with anti-TGF-beta 1 antibody from subtype THP-1 cells. This suggests that subtype THP-1 cells secrete TGF-beta 1 into the medium by forming a functional complex with the latent TGF-beta 1-binding protein. We conclude that subtype THP-1 cells could not take up Ac-LDL because ScR was inhibited (leading to a loss of function) caused by the secreted TGF-beta 1.

Getting into the Golgi

The intermediate compartment residing between the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and the Golgi is now recognized to be a dynamic structure that captures cargo released from the ER in COPII vesicular carriers and promotes recycling by COPI vesicular carriers. These and other findings now provide compelling evidence for the importance of this intermediate in balancing anterograde and retrograde flow through the early secretory pathway and in the formation and maintenance of the Golgi stack.

Enhanced renal toxicity by inorganic mercury in metallothionein-null mice

To elucidate a protective role of metallothionein (MT) in the manifestation of inorganic mercury toxicity, we studied the susceptibility of MT-null mice to the renal toxicity of mercuric chloride. Because the MT-null (J) mice are a genetic background of 129/Sv strain, the 129/Sv mice were used as wild-type controls. Nine-week-old male MT-null (J) and 129/Sv mice were given subcutaneous injections of mercuric chloride at doses of 10 to 40 micromol/kg. The basal MT level in the kidney of MT-null (J) mice was undetectable (<0.2 microg/g of tissue) and approximately 2.5 microg/g of tissue in 129/Sv mice. The sensitivity to the renal toxicity of mercuric chloride was markedly enhanced in the MT-null (J) mice compared with the 129/Sv mice. The renal mercury level was similar for the MT-null (J) and 129/Sv mice at 4 hr after the injection of mercuric chloride (20 micromol/kg) but became significantly lower in MT-null (J) mice than in 129/Sv mice at 24 and 72 hr. Based on the present results, we conclude that MT is an important protective factor against the renal toxicity caused by inorganic mercury and that it may play a major role in the retention of mercury in the kidney.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of thienylcyanoguanidine derivatives as potassium channel openers

In our series of studies on potassium channel openers, several thienylcyanoguanidine derivatives were synthesized and evaluated for smooth muscle relaxation activity in vitro. Among the newly synthesized compounds, N-cyano-N'-(5-cyano-3-thienyl)-N"-tert-pentylguanidine (4b) and N-(5-bromo-3-thienyl)-N'-cyano-N"-tert-pentylguanidine (4f) exhibited excellent activity which was proved to be based on potassium channel-opening action. Bioisosterism between benzene and thiophene ring was observed in the arylcyanoguanidines. After intravenous administration to dogs, 4b lowered the blood pressure more strongly than pinacidil.

Clinical studies of second revision in total hip replacement

Eleven patients (12 hips) underwent the second revision of total hip replacement. The mean age at the second revision was 61 years (range: 31 to 79); 2 patients were men and 9 women. Loosening of components was the most common reason for the revision surgery. Supplemental ring or wire-mesh reinforcement was used for the revision of the acetabular that had poor bone stock. On the acetabular side, an allograft was used in 4 hips; on the femoral side, a long stem was used in 11 hips. The mean operative time was 298 minutes (range: 195 to 525), and the mean bleeding volume was 2278 ml (range: 810 to 4800) which was about twofold more than that of the primary operation. The mean length of follow up after the second revision was approximately 5 years. In the clinical results, the mean total Japan Orthopaedic Association score was 56 points before the second revision and it was 70 points during the follow-up period. Pain score was especially improved after the second revision. On final roentgenographic examination there was noted a clear zone in three acetabular components and five femoral components. As yet, we have not experienced any case requiring a third revision.

Minimally disruptive laser-induced breakdown in water

We produce minimally disruptive breakdown in water by using tightly focused 100-fs laser pulses and demonstrate the potential use of this technique in microsurgery of the eye. Using time-resolved imaging and piezoelectric pressure detection, we measure the magnitude and speed of propagation of the pressure wave produced in the breakdown. Compared with breakdown with longer pulses, here there is a much lower energy threshold for breakdown of 0.2microJ , a smaller shock zone diameter (11microm for 1-microJ pulses), and consistent energy deposition.

p21 (WAF1/Cip1/Sdi1/Pic1) mRNA is expressed in neuroblastoma cell lines but not in Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumor cell lines

The p21 protein inhibits the activity of cyclin-Cdk complexes and suppresses cell cycle progression. Wild type p53 can induce p21, but mutated p53 cannot. Previous studies have demonstrated that mutation of p53 is absent in neuroblastoma (NB). These reports prompted us to examine whether p53 induced p21 in NB. We examined the expression of p21 and p53 mRNA in eight NB, two Ewing's sarcoma (ES) and two primitive neuroectodermal tumor (PNET) cell lines by Northern blot analysis, and sequenced p53 cDNA of these cells. Although p53 mRNA was detected in all analyzed cell lines by Northern blot analysis, p21 mRNA was detected in six NB but not in two NB, two ES and two PNET cell lines. We detected the point mutation of p53 at codon 273 (CGT to TGT) in one NB and two ES cell lines. The non-transforming substitution at codon 72 (CCC to CGC) was detected in all analyzed cell lines. One PNET cell line had a large deletion of p53 cDNA. These results showed that p21 mRNA was usually expressed in NB but not in ES and PNET. This may suggest that the down stream of the p53 signal transduction pathway in NB is different from that of the closely related tumors of ES and PNET.

The lysine cluster in the collagen-like domain of the scavenger receptor provides for its ligand binding and ligand specificity

Scavenger receptors bind modified low-density lipoproteins (LDL) on a collagen-like domain which possesses a lysine cluster at the carboxy end. We previously constructed a receptor model peptide containing the lysine cluster. In the present study, we evaluated the ligand specificity of the receptor model peptide. It selectively bound modified-LDLs, and not LDL. The binding of acetylated-LDL (Ac-LDL) was inhibited by dextran sulfate, fucoidan, and sulfatides in a manner similar to that of the natural receptor. Both polyguanylic and polyinosinic acids inhibit the Ac-LDL binding whereas polycytidylic acid did not. These results indicate that the lysine cluster in the collagen-like domain has important roles in both ligand binding and ligand specificity.

A di-acidic signal required for selective export from the endoplasmic reticulum

Transport of membrane proteins between intracellular compartments requires specific sequences in the protein cytoplasmic domain to direct packaging into vesicle shuttles. A sequence that mediates export from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) has proved elusive. A di-acidic signal (Asp-X-Glu, where X represents any amino acid) on the cytoplasmic tail of vesicular stomatitis virus glycoprotein (VSV-G) and other cargo molecules was required for efficient recruitment to vesicles mediating export from the ER in baby hamster kidney cells. The existence of such a signal provides evidence that export from the ER occurs through a selective mechanism.

[Efficacy and safety of intramuscular imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS) for complicated urinary tract infections]

An intramuscular preparation of imipenem/cilastatin (IPM/CS, 500 mg/500 mg) was administered to 59 patients with complicated urinary tract infections (UTI; cystitis and pyelonephritis) to evaluate its efficacy and safety. The obtained results are summarized as follows: In patients with cystitis, evaluations based on daily frequencies of administration were also performed. 1) According to the treating doctors, the drug showed an overall efficacy rate of 80% (45/56 patients). The efficacy rate was 89% in patients with cystitis treated by a u.i.d. regimen. Among patients treated by a b.i.d. regimen, the efficacy rate was 67% for cystitis cases and 84% for pyelonephritis cases. 2) When clinical efficacy was assessed according to the criteria for UTI drug efficacy evaluation, the drug was 'markedly effective' in 14 patients, 'effective' in 23, and ineffective in 11 patients, for an efficacy rate of 77% (37/48 patients). 3) The microbiological eradication rate was 88% (59/67 strains). The rate was 95% (20/21 strains) for Gram-positive bacteria and 85% (39/46 strains) for Gram-negative bacteria. The efficacy for Enterobacter faecalis and Pseudomonas aeruginosa was 100% and 73%, respectively. 4) As side effects, pain at the injection site was reported by one patient and abnormal laboratory test values were observed in 2 patients. All of these reactions were mild and resolved shortly after the completion of treatment. Based on these findings, it is concluded that this intramuscular preparation of IPM/CS is effective for treating complicated urinary tract infections.

Effects of estrogenic hormones on early development of Xenopus laevis

Many chemicals released into the environment have estrogenic activity and can disrupt animal development and the function of endocrine systems. In order to study the effects of estrogens on aquatic animals, we examined the effects of certain estrogens on early development in Xenopus laevis. X. laevis embryos were kept in water containing 10(-10), 10(-9), 10(-7), 10(-6), and 10(-5) M 17 beta-estradiol (E2); 17 alpha-estradiol; diethylstilbestrol (DES); 10(-5) M progesterone (P); or dihydrotestosterone (DHT) beginning at developmental stage 3. Survival rates of the embryos developed in water containing 10(-10)-10(-6) M E2 or DES, all concentrations of 17 alpha-estradiol, and 10(-5) M P or DHT, which were over 70% after stage 48, whereas the rates of the embryos treated with 10(-5) M E2 and DES decreased remarkably after stage 27 and all embryos were dead by stages 42 and 32, respectively. Embryos treated with 10(-5) M E2 showed malformations of the head and abdomen and suppressed organogenesis, including crooked vertebrae at stage 38; the head was smaller and the abdomen was larger than in the controls. Similar effects were observed in embryos developed in 10(-5) M DES but not in 10(-5) M 17 alpha-estradiol, P, or DHT. After 10(-5) M E2 treatment, abnormalities were induced only when the treatment was started before stage 39. However, on day 30 after fertilization, the stage of the embryos treated with 10(-6) M E2 was more progressed than that of the controls. Estrogen receptor (ER 4) mRNA was examined in eggs, embryos, and adult female liver by reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction. ER4 mRNA was expressed in adult liver, unfertilized and fertilized eggs, and embryos, but ER3 mRNA was not expressed. ER4 mRNA in 10(-6) and 10(-5) M E2-treated embryos showed different expression patterns, which may result from the diverse developmental effects of E2. The present results demonstrate that 10(-5) M E2 and DES induced embryo death and malformations and that ER may be involved in the induction of various developmental defects in X. laevis embryos.

Long-term dynamics of a predator used for biological control and decoupling from mosquito prey in a subtropical treehole ecosystem

We identified, staged and counted the immature stages of mosquitoes from 1,826 censuses (with replacement) of the aquatic contents of ten treeholes surveyed every 2 weeks between 1978 and 1993. These time series were used to examine the population dynamics and effect on prey of the predatory mosquito Toxorhynchites rutilus. The mean annual frequency of occurrence of T. rutilus ranged from 0.02 to 0.67 among holes, and no fourth instars were recovered during a 30-month dry period. Oviposition and pupation by this species were recorded in all months, but most commonly in the spring. Overwintering larvae of the predator increased in weight during the prolonged fourth instar that preceded pupation in the spring. Time series analyses showed that the presence of a fourth instar T. rutilus significantly reduced the abundances of late-stage Aedes triseriatus mosquitoes. Pupal numbers of this prey species were more negatively affected by T. rutilus than were numbers of fourth instar A. triseriatus. Long-term declines in mean annual abundance of A. triseriatus prey during 16 years of observations on two holes were not correlated with increases in the mean annual frequencies of T. rutilus. Local extinctions of the aquatic stages of A. triseriatus within treeholes were common, but in most holes not significantly associated with the presence of T. rutilus, suggesting that predation does not routinely drive mosquito prey locally extinct in this ecosystem. The decoupling of T. rutilus and A. triseriatus, as revealed through these complete and long-term censuses, is contrasted with other reports of generalist predators causing extinctions of mosquito prey. Discrepancies among reported outcomes probably result from differences in duration of sampling periods and statistical procedures along with real differences in the intensity of predation among systems and sites.

[Intraperitoneal single-dose toxicity studies of active metabolite, optical isomers, hydrolysis products and bi-product of (+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate(NS-21), a novel drug for urinary frequency and incontinence, in mice]

NS-21, (+/-)-4-diethylamino-1,1-dimethylbut-2-yn-1-yl 2-cyclohexyl-2-hydroxy-2-phenylacetate monohydrochloride monohydrate, is a new drug for the treatment of urinary frequency and incontinence. To evaluate acute toxicities of its related compounds including the optical isomers of NS-21 ((S)NS-21 and (R)NS-21), the active metabolite of NS-21 ((R/S)RCC-36), the optical isomers of (R/S)RCC-36 ((S)RCC-36 and (R)RCC-36), the hydrolysis products of NS-21 (RCC-32 and RCC-38) and the bi-product of NS-21 (RCC-66), single-dose intraperitoneal toxicity studies were conducted in ddY mice. The LD50 values of these compounds in male and female mice were as follows: 199 and 184 mg/kg for (S)NS-21, 261 and 240 mg/kg for (R)NS-21, 74 and 100-150 mg/kg for (R/S)RCC-36, 93 mg/kg for (S)RCC-36 in both sexes, 83 and 104 mg/kg for (R)RCC-36, higher than 510 mg/kg for RCC-32 in both sexes, 340-510 mg/kg for RCC-38 in both sexes, and 1000-2000 mg/kg for RCC-66 in both sexes, respectively. The clinical signs included decreased spontaneous locomotor activity, prone or lateral position, ataxic gait, clonic convulsion, hypopnea, hypothermia, pale skin, mydriasis, abdominal distention and unkempt fur for (S)NS-21, (R)NS-21, (R/S)RCC-36, (S)RCC-36 and (R)RCC-36, decreased spontaneous locomotor activity, prone position, ataxic gait, clonic convulsion, tail elevation and hypopnea for RCC-32 and RCC-38, and decreased spontaneous locomotor activity and unkempt fur for RCC-66. Body weight was decreased or its gain was suppressed for every compound examined. Pathological examination of the dead mice showed atrophy of the thymus and spleen, intestinal distention with the retention of dark red contents, white spots or white materials in the abdominal fatty tissue for (S)NS-21, (R)NS-21, (R/S)RCC-36, (S)RCC-36, (R)RCC-36 and RCC-66, but no treatment related change for RCC-32 and RCC-38. Adhesion between the abdominal organs was observed in survivors treated with (S)NS-21, (R)NS-21, (S)RCC-36, (R)RCC-36, RCC-32 and RCC-66.

Vasodepressor effects of exercise are accompanied by reduced circulating ouabainlike immunoreactivity and normalization of nitric oxide synthesis

Our object was to evaluate the effects of regular mild exercise on blood pressure and on circulating level of ouabainlike factors (OLF) and of nitrate anion, an endproduct of nitric oxide (NO) in humans. We measured plasma ouabainlike immunoreactivity (OLI) and nitrate ions (NO3.) before and after mild exercise for 3 months' duration in 16 patients with essential hypertension, diabetes mellitus, obesity, or hyperlipidemia. Plasma OLI was measured using an amplified ELISA system with anti-ouabain antibody and biotinyl-tyramide. Serum NO3. was measured with high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with an anion-exchange column. With the reverse phase HPLC system with an octa decylsilyl silicagel column, the elution volume of plasma OLI of a healthy volunteer matched that of authentic ouabain in a gradient elution system of acetonitrile/H2O. Plasma OLI levels decreased significantly by about 34% after mild exercise, and NO3. levels tended to be within the reference interval in normal volunteers. Body weight, diastolic and systolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride and acetylcholine esterase (a marker of the fatty liver) were significantly decreased (p < 0.01) after 3 months of regular mild exercise. The plasma OLI level was significantly correlated with plasma NO3., there was a trend toward a correlation with diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.06) before and after regular exercise. Regular mild exercise led to a decrease in plasma levels of OLI, and acetylcholine esterase activity and blood pressure in adult patients. Results suggest that changes in OLF production contribute to the blood pressure regulation seen in patients who exercise regularly.

Synthesis and structure-activity relationships of novel phenylcyanoguanidine derivatives as potassium channel openers

3,5-Di-substituted phenylcyanoguanidine derivatives with halogen, cyano and/or nitro groups at the 3- and 5-positions of the benzene ring exhibited very strong smooth muscle relaxation activity in vitro, as compared to pinacidil. Among them, N-(3-chloro-5-cyanophenyl)-N'-cyano-N" -tert-pentylguanidine (5s) showed 27-fold more potent activity than pinacidil, and exhibited a stronger and more lasting antihypertensive effect than pinacidil by oral administration to spontaneously hypertensive rats. We propose a new pharmacophore model in which the essential factors for binding to the potassium channel are an NH and a bulky alkyl group.

Cooperativity of stabilized mRNA and enhanced translation activity in the cell-free system

Detailed analysis of cell-free translation, coupled transcription-translation in static conditions and a continuous flow system based on E. coli S30 extracts was performed. Degradation of template mRNA was the predominant trigger to terminate the protein synthesis. In a coupled system, mRNA was preserved by repeated transcription whereas the starvation of nucleotide triphosphates led to the termination of protein synthesis in less than 1 h. In the CFCF system, NTP was held at the level of initial concentration and therefore did not arrest the translation for 15 h. The accurate coupling of transcriptional rate and translational rate was also crucial to enhance the efficiency of protein synthesis.

Testosterone-dependent induction of metallothionein in genital organs of male rats

Metallothioneins (MTs) are a group of cysteine-rich heavy-metal-binding proteins. We have investigated MT gene expression in the ventral and dorsolateral lobes of the prostate and coagulating gland of male Wistar rats. In intact rats, both MT mRNA and MT were present in the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland but not in the ventral lobe. Orchidectomy caused involution of the above organs, and both MT mRNA and MT were considerably decreased or become undetectable. An injection of testosterone propionate into orchidectomized rats restored not only the size of these organs, but also MT mRNA and MT concentrations, particularly in the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland. In the dorsolateral lobe, no selective uptake of Zn2+ preceding the increase in MT was observed, suggesting that Zn2+ ions are not associated with the increased expression of the MT gene. The present result suggests that of the male auxiliary genital organs, the dorsolateral lobe and coagulating gland, but not the ventral lobe, contain MT, the biosynthesis of which is regulated by testosterone.

A description and morphometric comparison of eggs from eight geographic populations of the South American malaria vector Anopheles (Nyssorhynchus) nuneztovari (Diptera:Culicidae)

The egg of Anopheles nuneztovari is described from scanning electron micrographs of specimens collected from western Venezuela. Morphometric measurements of egg samples from 3 localities in Venezuela, one in Suriname, and 4 in Brazil are compared and relationships analyzed by multivariate statistics. Morphological characters were similar in 2 geographical groups, one Venezuelan and the other Amazonian, that were distinguishable on the basis of differences in size and density of tubercles in the anterior deck region and area of pores in the dorsal plastron. Eggs from western Brazil did not cluster with other Amazonian collections. The distinction of Venezuelan from Amazonian eggs of An. nuneztovari is consistent with chromosomal, ecologic, and molecular evidence for regional genetic differentiation in this species.

[A 4-week oral toxicity study of prulifloxacin (NM441) in rats followed by a 4-week recovery test]

A repeated dose toxicity study of prulifloxacin, a new antibacterial agent, was conducted in Sprague-Dawley rats. Male and female rats were given the test material orally for 4 weeks at doses of 0 (control), 30, 300 and 3000 mg/kg. After discontinuation of the treatment, a 4-week recovery test was also conducted. There was one case of death in the 3000 mg/kg group. Grayish green and soft feces, unkempt fur, transient deep respiration and decreased body weight gain were observed in the 3000 mg/kg group. Decreased food consumption and increased water intake were seen in the 300 and 3000 mg/kg groups. Ophthalmoscopic examination failed to show any abnormalities related to the treatment. In urinalysis, crystalline substance in the urinary sediments, cloudy urine and decreased Na+ excretion were observed in the 300 and 3000 mg/kg groups. Increased urine volume, lowered urine specific gravity and decreased K+ and Cl- excretions were seen in the 3000 mg/kg group. Hematologic examination showed decreased Hb, Ht, MCV and MCH and increased WBC in the 3000 mg/kg group. Blood chemical examination revealed increased BUN and decreased K+ and Cl- in the 3000 mg/kg group, and decreased K+ and gamma-globulin in the 300 mg/kg group. Pathological changes caused by the treatment were as follows. Cecal weight was increased in all dose groups. Cecal distention and swelling of its absorptive cells were seen in the 300 and 3000 mg/kg groups. In kidney, tubular nephrosis with crystalline substance was observed in the 300 and 3000 mg/kg groups, and its organ weight was increased in the 3000 mg/kg group. The above-mentioned changes were reversible except for decreased gamma-globulin, increased BUN and urine volume, and lowered urine specific gravity. Ulcer and small cavities associated with proliferation of fibrous tissue in the femoral articular cartilage were observed in the 3000 mg/kg group at the end of recovery period of 4 weeks. Plasma levels and urinary concentrations of active metabolite of the test material were increased in all dose groups with dose-related manner, whereby no sex difference was observed. No effects caused by the repeated dosing were seen in the plasma concentrations. Increased cecal weight in the 30 mg/kg group was considered to be attributable to the pharmacological effect of the test material. The results show that the NOAEL of prulifloxacin is 30 mg/kg for 4-week repeated dose toxicity in rats.

Saturable transport of valproic acid in rat choroid plexus in vitro

In order to obtain in vitro evidence for a specific transport system of valproic acid (VPA) at the blood-cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) interface, the uptake of VPA by isolated rat choroid plexus was investigated. The uptake clearance of [3H]VPA decreased with the increase of the unlabeled VPA concentration in the incubation medium. Kinetic analysis yielded an apparent Km of 10.0 mM, Vmax of 0.0871 mumol s-1 g-1 and Kns, a permeability coefficient of the nonsaturable component, of 6.85 microL s-1 g-1, indicating that both saturable and nonsaturable systems may contribute to VPA uptake by choroid plexus. Organic anions, penicillin G, p-aminohippurate, salicylate, and probenecid significantly inhibited VPA uptake by choroid plexus. We suggest that VPA translocation through choroidal membrane is partly operated by the organic anion transport system. A significant decrease of VPA uptake induced by 2,4-dinitrophenol, stilbenedisulfonate, and hypothermia (10 degrees C) indicates the involvement of an energy-dependent, carrier-mediated transport system. These results demonstrate that VPA is actively transported through the rat choroidal epithelium via a saturable system probably shared by organic anions.

Effect of aging on the esophageal motor functions

To clarify the changes of esophageal motility along with age, we performed esophageal manometry on 47 healthy volunteers, and compared the values of four groups under 49 years old (n = 11), 50 to 59 (n = 15), 60 to 69 (n = 11), and over 70 years old (n = 10). Resting lower esophageal sphincter (LES) pressure in the group over 70 years old showed the tendency of decrease, but not statistically significant. Nadir LES pressure on swallow-induced relaxation was not statistically different among 4 groups. On esophageal body testing, percentage of non-conduction sequence in the group 60 to 69 and over 70 years old was statistically higher compared with that of the group under 49 years old (p < 0.05) but spared in some elderly subjects. Percentage of simultaneous contractions was not statistically different among 4 groups. Peristaltic contraction amplitude in the group over 70 years old was significantly lower than that of the group under 49 years old both at the level of 5 cm above (p < 0.01) and 10 cm above LES (p < 0.05). We speculate that the influence of aging on esophageal motility is the reduced transmission sequence of peristalsis and contractility of esophageal body. This alteration along with age may differ from the pathological condition of scleroderma or diffuse esophageal spasm.

The effect of docosahexaenoic acid on aggression in young adults. A placebo-controlled double-blind study

41 students took either docosahexaenoic acid (DHA)-rich oil capsules containing 1.5-1.8 grams DHA/day (17 females and 5 males) or control oil capsules containing 97% soybean oil plus 3% fish oil (12 females and 7 males) for 3 mo in a double-blind fashion. They took a psychological test (P-F Study) and Stroop and dementia-detecting tests at the start and end of the study. The present study started at the end of summer vacation and ended in the middle of mental stress such as final exams. In the control group extraggression (aggression against others) in P-F Study was significantly increased at the end of the study as compared with that measured at the start (delta = +8.9%, P = 0.0022), whereas it was not significantly changed in the DHA group (delta = -1.0%). The 95% CI of differences between the DHA and control groups were -16.8 to -3.0%. DHA supplementation did not affect the Stroop and dementia-detecting tests. Thus, DHA intake prevented extraggression from increasing at times of mental stress. This finding might help understand how fish oils prevent disease like coronary heart disease.

Effect of estrogen on ontogenic expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors in rat uterus

The ontogenic expression of progesterone and estrogen receptors (PR and ER) and effect of estrogen on these receptors were investigated immunohistochemically in rat uterus from the day of birth ( = 0 day) to 30 days of age. Uterine epithelial and stromal cells showed a negative PR immunoreaction at 0 day. The PR in the epithelial cell nuclei appeared by 5 days, while the stromal cells showed a negative PR reaction until 12 days. The staining of the stromal cells appeared from 12 to 15 days. In both the epithelial and stromal cells, the initiation of the PR appearance was not affected by ovariectomy performed at 0 day or 5 days prior to the appearance of PR in the epithelial and stromal cells. Estrogen injections from 0 day failed to initiate the appearance of PR in the epithelial cells, regardless of doses of estradiol-17 beta (0.1, 1 and 10 micrograms daily), but induced PR in the stromal cells. The staining of ER appeared at 5 days in the epithelial cells and at 1 day in the stromal cells, respectively. ER appeared after 2-3 daily injections of estrogen from 0 day depending upon the doses. These results suggest that steroid hormones secreted from neonatal ovary do not play any important role in ontogenic expression of PR during the postnatal uterine maturation.

Evidence for developmentally regulated transcriptional, translational and post-translational control of metallothionein gene expression in hair follicles

The distribution of metallothionein (MT) and MT mRNAs was examined in hair (wool) follicles, where high levels of cell proliferation are found and where the resulting cells provide a temporal record of differentiation events. MT was found in the cytoplasm and some nuclei of follicle bulb cells of the proliferative zone, outer root sheath cells and in basal layer cells of sebaceous glands and sweat glands. The population of 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU)+ cells in these tissues overlapped, but were not completely coincident with the distribution of MT staining. MT mRNA expression in hair (wool) follicles was assessed by in situ hybridization with four gene-specific sheep MT (sMT) isoforms. Intense signals were obtained with the sMT-Ib probe in follicle bulb cells from the proliferative zone to the keratogenous zone. Signals from the sMT-Ia probe were present in the same cells, but were much weaker. No signals were detected using the sMT-Ic and sMT-II gene-specific probes. The findings suggest that: (1) MT is important in cell proliferation and/or cell differentiation in the hair follicle bulb; (2) MT translation is inhibited during cell differentiation and migration; and (3) tissue-specific expression of uncharacterized sMT isoforms is likely.

[A study on peak expiratory flow monitoring maneuver as compared to forced expiratory flow maneuver]

In this study, we tried to clarify the characteristics of peak expiratory flow (PEF) measurement maneuver as a tool of daily monitoring severity of asthma in accordance with peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of forced expiratory maneuver. PEF did not differ when measured either in the standing or sitting position. However, obese individuals may have higher PEF when measured in the standing position and subjects with emphysematous change may have higher PEF when measured in the sitting than in the standing position. PEF did not differ when measured either with or without nose clip. Expiration time and volume in PEF measurement requires only one fifth and a half of that of forced expiratory flow volume measurement, respectively. In 36% of asthmatic patients in whom PEF is measured daily, PEF measurements were thought to be measured after inspiring at about 90% of forced vital capacity. Although PEF is a well tolerated useful clinical parameter in the management of bronchial asthma, it has different characteristics from peak expiratory flow rate (PEFR) of forced expiratory volume measurement.

Systemic chemotherapy alters interleukin-1 beta and its receptor antagonist production by human alveolar macrophages in lung cancer patients

The purpose of this study was to determine whether cytotoxic chemotherapy influences the number and function of alveolar macrophages (AM) in patients with lung cancer. AM were obtained by bronchoalveolar lavage from 24 patients with lung cancer and 17 control patients. The functional integrity of AM was determined by their ability to produce interleukin-1 beta (IL-1 beta) and interleukin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) before and after platinum-containing systemic chemotherapy. The productions of IL-1 beta and IL-1ra were quantitated by enzyme immunoassays. The proportions of multinucleated cells among AM were significantly decreased after systemic chemotherapy in lung cancer patients. No significant difference in spontaneous and lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated IL-1 beta or IL-1ra production by AM was observed between lung cancer patients and control patients. Significant increase of IL-1 beta and significant decrease of IL-1ra production by AM were demonstrated in patients with small cell lung cancer who experienced response to systemic chemotherapy. These results suggest that systemic chemotherapy may influence functional roles of AM in the lung, and consideration of influence of systemic chemotherapy on host functions is important in cancer treatment.

Clinical effect of etidronate disodium (EHDP) on heterotopic ossification following total hip arthroplasty

We investigated the status of the development of heterotopic ossification and compared the frequency of heterotopic ossification in the EHDP group with that in the untreated (control) group to evaluate the efficacy and safety of EHDP. Seventy-seven patients who had undergone total hip arthroplasty or femoral head prosthesis for the treatment of osteoarthritis and femoral neck fracture were enrolled in the study. Heterotopic ossification surrounding the hip joint was evaluated according to the roentgenographic classification. In the control group, heterotopic ossification was found in 10 patients (20%) during the period, while in the EHDP group, it was found in one patient (3.7%) during the treatment period after the operation. Gastrointestinal disorder, in one case only was a side effect observed during EHDP treatment. It was revealed that EHDP inhibits heterotopic ossification following total hip replacement in patients with osteoarthritis.