CAG repeat expansion of Machado-Joseph disease in the Japanese: analysis of the repeat instability for parental transmission, and correlation with disease phenotype

Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) is caused by abnormal expansion of an unstable CAG repeat in a novel gene locating on chromosome 14q32.1. We analysed this CAG repeat polymorphism with 66 Japanese MJD patients. All the patients were selectively associated with abnormal expansion of the CAG repeat. Repeat length of the mutant allele did not overlap that of normal allele and closely correlated with not only age at onset but also with clinical phenotypes. CAG repeat size is apparently related to a wide variety of phenotypic presentations in MJD.

Changes in the central and peripheral serotonergic system in rats exposed to water-immersion restrained stress and nicotine administration

The effects of water-immersion restraint stress (WS) on chronically nicotine-administered rats were studied in the blood and various regions of the brain. Serotonin (5-HT) levels increased in the hypothalamus, hippocampus, cortex and cerebellum following the administration of nicotine. 5-HT levels increased in all the brain regions following stress. Nicotine decreased stress-induced increased levels of 5-HT in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Nicotine administration alone increased 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA) levels in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Stress alone also increased 5-HIAA levels in all the brain regions. In the cortex, 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels further increased following the administration of a combination of stress and nicotine compared to rats given stress alone. In the blood as well as in all the brain regions, except the cerebellum, stress or nicotine administration did not affect tryptophan levels. Stress given to nicotine-administered rats resulted in a decrease in tryptophan levels in the blood and plasma. Although 5-HT and 5-HIAA levels were not influenced by stress and/or nicotine administration, the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio increased in the blood and plasma of rats administered with nicotine and exposed to stress. The effects of nicotine on the serotonergic system depend upon the kind of stress given together with the organs and brain regions involved.

Hemifacial spasm: three-dimensional MR images in the evaluation of neurovascular compression

PURPOSE

To assess the diagnostic accuracy of three-dimensional (3D) magnetic resonance (MR) images in the preoperative evaluation of hemifacial spasm.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

In 27 patients with surgically confirmed hemifacial spasm, the axial source images from 3D time-of-flight MR angiography were evaluated for 27 symptomatic sides and 26 asymptomatic sides by three observers in a blinded manner for neurovascular compression and identification of compressive vessels.

RESULTS

Sensitivity was 95% and specificity was 77%. Vascular compression on the symptomatic sides could be identified retrospectively in all 27 patients. On the asymptomatic sides, vascular compression could be excluded retrospectively in all but one patient. In the blinded study, as the mean value of three observers, the vertebral artery and posterior inferior cerebellar artery could be identified correctly in seven and 7.7 of seven and nine patients, respectively, whereas the compressive anterior inferior cerebellar artery was identified correctly in 7.7 of 16 patients.

CONCLUSION

Three-dimensional MR images have a high diagnostic accuracy and are useful in the preoperative evaluation of hemifacial spasm.

National survey of alcoholic liver disease in Japan (1968-91)

National surveys of alcoholic liver disease (ALD) in Japan were performed in 1978 and 1985 by a previous Japanese study group for ALD (the Takeuchi group). In the present study, a subsequent nationwide survey of ALD in Japan was conducted from 1986 to 1991 and the results compared with the previous studies. In order to clarify the aetiological relationship between hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection and ALD, results were also analysed according to new diagnostic criteria for ALD proposed by the current ALD study group (the Takada group). According to the diagnostic criteria of the Takeuchi group, the incidence of ALD did not differ significantly from 1986 to 1991. However, the incidence of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) in alcoholic cirrhosis (AL-LC) clearly increased during this period. The analysis, which included analysis of results from the previous studies, indicated that the incidence of ALD reached a plateau in 1980 and then stabilized. However, HCC in AL-LC continued to show a linear increase from 1976 to 1991. The new diagnostic criteria of the Takada group were used to analyse cases from 1990 and 1991. Approximately two out of every three cases of ALD were caused by alcohol alone, and the remainder were caused by a combination of alcohol and HCV. Cases caused only by HCV were very rare. The main aetiology in patients with alcoholic hepatitis and fibrosis was alcohol alone, and in the case of chronic hepatitis, in heavy drinkers, it was a combination of alcohol and HCV. In half the patients with AL-LC the aetiology was alcohol alone, and in the other half it was a combination of both alcohol and HCV. In the majority of patients with HCC, the aetiology was a combination of alcohol and HCV, indicating that HCV infection may be important in the development of HCC in alcoholics.

Induction of protective antibody responses against pseudorabies virus by intranasal vaccination with glycoprotein B in mice

Intranasal vaccination of mice with glycoprotein B (gB) of pseudorabies virus (PRV) induced specific IgA and IgG antibody responses in the secretion of the respiratory tract, resulting in protection of the animals against intranasal challenge with a lethal dose of virulent PRV. The immune response was enhanced by the use of cholera toxin B subunit as an adjuvant. The present results indicate that local vaccination with gB is a promising strategy to confer protective immunity on animals against PRV infection by inducing secretory antibodies on their mucosal surfaces where the primary replication of the virus occurs.

In vivo-synthesized radioactively labelled alpha-methyl serotonin as a selective tracer for visualization of brain serotonin neurons

To investigate the use of alpha-[3H]methyl tryptophan (alpha-[3H]MTrp) as a tracer for the in vivo study of brain serotonergic neurons, we examined whether alpha-[3H]MTrp and its metabolite alpha-[3H]methyl serotonin (alpha-[3H]M5-HT) selectively label serotonergic neurons and whether once accumulated in these neurons, the radioactive metabolite behaves like endogenous serotonin. Rats received a systemic injection of 1-5 mCi of alpha-[3H]MTrp and 24 h later their brains were immediately removed or fixed by perfusion before removal. Tissue sections in which serotonergic neurons had been immunostained for 5-HT or its synthesizing enzyme, tryptophan hydroxylase, were processed for radioautography at the light and electron microscopic level. In another group of rats, the release of radioactivity from different brain areas was studied both under basal and depolarizing conditions. In the dorsal raphe nucleus, the light microscopic examination revealed almost complete colocalization between serotonergic neurons and those that accumulated radioactivity, with a heterogeneity in the content of alpha-[3H]M5-HT among the various cells. At the ultrastructural level, immunoidentified serotonergic perikarya and dendritic processes in the dorsal raphe nucleus, as well as nerve terminals in the cerebral cortex were also found to contain alpha-[3H]M5-HT. Under basal conditions, radioactivity was released from the brainstem raphe region and from projection areas such as the striatum and hippocampus. The basal output of alpha-[3H]M5-HT increased approximately twofold after a depolarizing 50 mM KCl solution was added to the perfusion fluid. These findings suggest that newly synthesized alpha-[3H]M5-HT can be released both at somatodendritic and terminal sites.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Daily variation of serum lipids in relation to the circadian rhythm of platelet aggregation in healthy male persons

The circadian rhythm of platelet aggregation was compared with that of serum lipids in seven healthy male persons. Daily variations of remnant lipoprotein-cholesterol and of remnant lipoprotein-triglycerides were related to those of arachidonic acid-, ADP (adenosine diphosphate)-, and collagen-induced aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and to ADP-induced aggregation in whole blood, respectively. Statistical analyses indicate that the time course of remnant-cholesterol was correlated to that of ADP-induced aggregation in platelet-rich plasma and the time courses of blood cholesterol and triglyceride were correlated to arachidonic acid- and serotonin-induced platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma, respectively. In whole blood, the time course of remnant lipoprotein-triglyceride was correlated only to ADP-induced platelet aggregation. In contrast, the daily variation of HDL (high density lipoprotein)-cholesterol did not influence either that of platelet aggregation in platelet-rich plasma or that in whole blood. Our findings are of clinical interest regarding the development of atherosclerosis and thrombotic events in persons with an elevated level of serum lipids.

Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1) in the Japanese in Hokkaido may derive from a single common ancestry

Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1) is caused by expansion of an unstable CAG triplet repeat located on the short arm of chromosome 6. Precise mapping has shown a positional relationship to closely linked markers in the order of D6S109-D6S274-D6S288-SCA1-AM10GA-D6S89+ ++-EDN1 from centromere to telomere. The haplotype which cosegregated with the disease was determined in 12 Japanese pedigrees with SCA1. Although the alleles of the SCA1 haplotype varied from pedigree to pedigree, depending on the distance from the SCA1 locus, the affected and presymptomatic subjects carried the same alleles at D6S288 and D6S274. All the families with SCA1 had migrated from either Miyagi or Yamagata Prefectures, neighbouring areas in the Tohoku District, the northern part of Honshu which is the main island of Japan. It seems highly likely that SCA1 in the Japanese, at least those residing in Hokkaido, derives from a single common ancestry.

Effects of beraprost sodium, a new prostaglandin I2 analog, on parameters of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and myocardial ischemia in patients with exertional angina

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of beraprost sodium, a stable prostacyclin analog, on the parameters of hemostasis, fibrinolysis, and myocardial ischemia in patients with exertional angina. Thirty-one patients with exertional angina who had significant organic coronary artery stenosis in at least one of the three major coronary arteries were selected. All patients underwent quantitative exercise thallium-201 emission computed tomography before and 1 month after 120 micrograms per day of beraprost sodium administration. Before exercise, blood samples were collected from 8:30 a.m. to 9:30 a.m. after the patients had been lying in bed undisturbed for at least 10 minutes. Plasma platelet factor 4 (PF4), fibrinopeptide A (FPA), tissue plasminogen activator antigen (t-PA), and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 activity (PAI-1) were measured. There were no significant differences in exercise parameters on both exercise tests. However, both the extent and severity scores of ischemia were significantly aggravated (p < 0.05 for both) during beraprost sodium administration. Plasma FPA levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.01). Likewise, plasma PF4 levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.05). As for plasma t-PA antigen levels, there was no significant difference before versus during beraprost sodium administration. Plasma PAI-1 activity levels decreased significantly during beraprost sodium administration (p < 0.05). The results indicate that beraprost sodium has strong antithrombogenic properties. However, its aggravation of myocardial ischemia may limit clinical usage.

The cleavage and inactivation of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 by neutrophil elastase: the evaluation of its physiologic relevance in fibrinolysis

The effect of the proteolytic cleavage of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) by human neutrophil elastase (HNE) on fibrinolysis was investigated. HNE cleaved active PAI-1 and produced low molecular weight forms of inactive PAI-1, as previously reported. Latent PAI-1 was resistant to HNE treatment. Vitronectin (VN) partially protected the cleavage. NH2-terminal sequence analysis indicated that the cleavage site was Val355-Ser356 (P4-P3). The effects of PAI-1 cleavage by HNE on clot lysis was studied in a purified system. Clot lysis time without PAI-1 was 20.0 +/- 5.0 minutes and was prolonged to 86.7 +/- 2.9 minutes by 68 nmol/L of PAI-1. It was shortened when HNE (from 0.6 nmol/L to 80 nmol/L) was added and returned to the value obtained without PAI-1 by 80 nmol/L of HNE (20.0 +/- 5.8 minutes). However, in the absence of PAI-1, elastase did not enhance clot lysis at all. Euglobulin clot lysis time was also shortened after HNE treatment. The cleavage and inactivation of PAI-1 by HNE was shown to be a novel pathway to enhance fibrinolysis.

Efficacy of combination therapy with interferon and azidothymidine in chronic type C hepatitis: a pilot study

The effects of interferon are seen in only a limited number of patients with hepatitis C virus (HCV) of the K1 type, indicating that a combination therapy with other antiviral drugs may be essential to obtain better results. In the present pilot study, the effects of combination therapy with interferon (IFN) and an antiviral drug azidothymidine (AZT) were analyzed. The combination therapy was conducted in 22 patients with chronic hepatitis C after obtaining their informed consent (combination group). Three or six million units of natural IFN alpha was administered daily for 3 weeks and then three times a week for 21 weeks. Combination therapy was initiated at the beginning of the 8th week of IFN treatment, 500 mg of AZT per day being given for 8 weeks. As a control, changes in HCV-RNA were also analyzed in patients treated with interferon alone (IFN-alone group). At the end of the treatment, blood was negative for HCV in 32.5% of the IFN-alone group and in 50.0% of the combination group, the difference not being significant. However, in patients with HCV-K1, HCV-negative rates were 14.2% in the IFN-alone group and 45.5% in the combination group, showing a significant difference. In patients with other HCV genotypes, HCV-negative rates did not different between the two groups. These results suggest that combination therapy with IFN and AZT may be an effective treatment for chronic type C hepatitis caused by the K1 type virus, although further studies on larger number of patients will be needed to obtain definite conclusions.

Laser beam cleanup with photorefractive two-beam coupling

The effectiveness of laser beam cleanup with photorefractive two-beam coupling is evaluated. We compare the measured effectiveness of the method with that of spatial filtering and find that the method works well for a highly aberrated beam approximately 700 times diffraction limited, whereas for moderately aberrated beams the effectiveness of the method is the same as that of spatial filtering.

Perpetuation of influenza A viruses in Alaskan waterfowl reservoirs

To provide information on the mechanism of perpetuation of influenza viruses among waterfowl reservoirs in nature, virological surveillance was carried out in Alaska during their breeding season in summer from 1991 to 1994. Influenza viruses were isolated mainly from fecal samples of dabbling ducks in their nesting places in central Alaska. The numbers of subtypes of 108 influenza virus isolates were 1 H2N3, 37 H3N8, 55 H4N6, 1 H7N3, 1 H8N2, 1 H10N2, 11 H10N7, and H10N9. Influenza viruses were also isolated from water samples of the lakes where they nest. Even in September of 1994 when the most ducks had left for migration to south, viruses were still isolated from the lake water. Phylogenetic analysis of the NP genes of the representative isolates showed that they belong to the North American lineage of avian influenza viruses, suggesting that the majority of the waterfowls breeding in central Alaska migrate to North America and not to Asia. The present results support the notion that influenza viruses have been maintained in waterfowl population by water-borne transmission and revealed the mechanism of year-by-year perpetuation of the viruses in the lakes where they breed.

Radical scavenger and antihepatotoxic activity of Ganoderma formosanum, Ganoderma lucidum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum

The free radical scavenging and antihepatotoxic activity from Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma formosanum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum were studied. Treatment with the water extract of Ganoderma lucidum, Ganoderma formosanum and Ganoderma neo-japonicum caused a marked decrease in the CCl4-induced toxicity in rat liver, made evident by their effect on the levels of glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT) and lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in the serum. The scavenging potency of the water extracts of the crude drugs was evaluated in terms of their ability to reduce the peaks of spin adducts using electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping techniques. The results indicated that Ganoderma formosanum showed the greatest antihepatotoxic activity and the greatest free radical scavenging activity.

Effects of nicotine and electric footshock on peripheral serotonergic measures and on platelet aggregation in whole blood of rats

The effects of nicotine and electric foot shock as well as of their combination on blood serotonergic measures and on whole blood aggregation have been analyzed. In rats subjected to electric footshock a rise (p < 0.05) in plasma but not in whole blood serotonin was observed, whereas this parameter was not influenced in nicotine-treated rats when compared to the control group. The combination of nicotine with electric footshock only slightly increased plasma serotonin and showed no effect on whole blood serotonin, but 5-hydroxyindole acetic acid (5-HIAA), the major metabolite of serotonin (5-HT), as well as the 5-HIAA/5-HT ratio were markedly increased (p < 0.01) suggesting an enhanced turnover of 5-HT under these conditions. The collagen-induced aggregation in whole blood was not influenced in nicotine-, in footshock- nor in combined-treated rats when compared to the controls. Our data indicate that stress as well as the combination of stress with nicotine may affect the serotonergic system which is in contrast to the exposure to nicotine alone.

Scavenging effects of Mallotus repandus on active oxygen species

The active oxygen species scavenging potencies of Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Muell.-Arg. extracts were evaluated by the electron spin resonance (ESR) spin-trapping technique. Superoxide radical (O2.-) and hydroxyl radical (OH.) were supplied enzymatically from hypoxanthine-xanthine oxidase (HPX-XOD) reaction and hydrogen peroxide-ferrous sulfate (Fenton reaction), respectively, to the assay system. The ethyl acetate fraction of Mallotus repandus (stem) showed the greatest superoxide radical scavenger activity and the n-hexane fraction of Mallotus repandus (stem as well as root) the greatest hydroxyl radical scavenger activity.

Thrombosed growing giant aneurysms of the vertebral artery: growth mechanism and management

Results in three patients with thrombosed giant aneurysms of the vertebral artery are reported. Each of the aneurysms presented as a mass lesion. On postcontrast computerized tomography and magnetic resonance imaging, each aneurysm demonstrated a patent lumen and intrathrombotic vascular channels. Two patients died and were autopsied, and the other patient was successfully treated. Pathological examination revealed that the aneurysms had staged clots, an open lumen, intrathrombotic channels with endothelial lining, and aneurysmal walls with intimal thickening. The authors suggest that the development of the intrathrombotic capillary channels may be an important factor in the growth of thrombosed giant aneurysm of the vertebral artery. Trapping of the aneurysm followed by aneurysmectomy appears to be the best treatment for this type of aneurysm.

Remnant-like lipoproteins stimulate whole blood platelet aggregation in vitro

We have developed a simple, rapid assay method to measure remnant-like lipoproteins by using an immunoaffinity gel mixture of anti apo B-100 and apoA-1 antibodies to Sepharose 4B. Characterization of the unbound lipoproteins has shown that they represent chylomicron and VLDL remnant particles (RLP). Preincubation of whole blood with RLP resulted in the enhanced activation of aggregation with ADP and collagen. Such enhancement was not observed in the presence of lipoprotein deficient serum or albumin preparation. The extent of enhancement was 2.78 times by 7.5 microM of ADP and 44 times by 0.5 microgram/ml of collagen in the presence of RLP-preparation 1 (RLP-1), respectively. In the presence of RLP-2, the enhancement was 5.37 times by 7.5 microM of ADP and 102 times by 0.5 microgram/ml of collagen, respectively. On the other hand RLP slightly inhibited PRP aggregation by these agonists. Inhibitions were 19% by 7.5 microM of ADP and 18% by 1.0 microgram/of collagen in the presence of RLP-1, respectively. Incubation of whole blood with RLP did not result in the release of factors to stimulate platelets or ADP- or collagen-induced platelet aggregation in vitro. The extents of enhanced aggregation in whole blood or inhibition in PRP were not correlated with RLP-cholesterol nor RLP-protein concentrations of RLP preparations used. These results may indicate that RLP not only interact with platelets but with erythrocytes or leukocytes. Our findings support the hypothesis that the postprandial increase in remnant lipoproteins is an atherosclerotic risk factor and may be a part of the reasons of thrombotic complications by stimulating platelets in patients with remnant hyperlipoproteinemia.

Increased procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activities in the lungs with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis

To elucidate the pathophysiology of idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), we examined procoagulant (tissue factor:TF), fibrinolytic (tissue type plasminogen activator:t-PA and urokinase type plasminogen activator:u-PA) and antifibrinolytic (plasminogen activator inhibitor-1:PAI-1 and PAI-2) activities in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) supernatant fluids and BAL cell lysates obtained from IPF patients. The results indicated that TF levels in BAL supernatant fluids from IPF patients were higher than those of normal subjects, especially in patients with progressive disease, suggesting that TF levels in the lung correlate with disease activity. PAI-1 levels in BAL supernatant fluids were significantly higher in IPF patients than in normal subjects (1.7 +/- 4.1 vs 0 ng/mg protein). PAI-2 levels in BAL cell lysates were also significantly higher in IPF patients than those in normal subjects (14.4 +/- 12.2 vs 3.0 +/- 3.0 ng/mg protein). However, u-PA levels in both BAL supernatant fluids and BAL cell lysates did not differ between the two groups. These observations suggest that u-PA inhibition exceeded u-PA activity in alveolar lining fluid resulting in an antifibrinolytic condition. Immunohistochemical analysis showed that TF was intensely stained in cuboidal epithelial cells and PAIs were positively stained in alveolar macrophages (AMs) and cuboidal epithelial cells, suggesting that cuboidal epithelial cells as well as AMs contribute to the increased procoagulant and antifibrinolytic activities in the lungs of IPF patients.

Spinocerebellar ataxia 1 (SCA1) in the Japanese: analysis of CAG trinucleitide repeat expansion and instability of the repeat for paternal transmission

SCA1 is caused by expansion of an unstable CAG triplet repeat in a novel gene located on the short arm of chromosome 6. In 126 Japanese individuals from 12 pedigrees with SCA1, studies were done to determine if they carried this mutant gene. All the affected and pre-symptomatic individuals, determined by haplotype segregation analyses, carried an abnormally expanded allele with the range of 39-63 repeat units. This repeat size inversely correlated with the age at onset. However, contrary to reported results, size of the repeat did not correlate with gender of the transmitting parent. Therefore, the CAG triplet repeat instability on paternal transmission is not likely to be fundamental to SCA1.

Synthesis of serotonin in traumatized rat brain

Previous studies have demonstrated that focal freezing lesions in rats cause a widespread decrease of cortical glucose use in the lesioned hemisphere and this was interpreted as a reflection of depression of cortical activity. The serotonergic neurotransmitter system was implicated in these alterations when it was shown that (1) cortical serotonin metabolism was increased widely in focally injured brain and (2) inhibition of serotonin synthesis prevented the development of cortical hypometabolism. In the present studies we applied an autoradiographic method that uses the accumulation of the 14C-labeled analogue of serotonin alpha-methylserotonin to assess changes in the rate of serotonin synthesis in injured brain. The results confirmed that 3 days after the lesion was made, at the time of greatest depression of glucose use, serotonin synthesis was significantly increased in cortical areas throughout the injured hemisphere. The increase was also seen in the dorsal hippocampus and area CA3, as well as in the medial geniculate and dorsal raphe, but not in any other subcortical structures including median raphe. Present results suggest that the functional changes in the cortex of the lesioned hemisphere are associated with an increased rate of serotonin synthesis mediated by activation of the dorsal raphe. We also documented by alpha-[14C]aminoisobutyric acid autoradiography that there was increased permeability of the blood-brain barrier, but this was restricted to the rim of the lesion.

Mapping of the gene for Machado-Joseph disease within a 3.6-cM interval flanked by D14S291/D14S280 and D14S81, on the basis of studies of linkage and linkage disequilibrium in 24 Japanese families

The gene locus of Machado-Joseph disease (MJD) has recently been mapped within a 29-cM subregion of 14q chromosome. We did a linkage study of 24 multigenerational MJD Japanese pedigrees, in an attempt to narrow the candidate region of this gene. Pairwise and multipoint linkage analysis, together with haplotype segregation analysis, led to the conclusion that the MJD gene is located at the 6.8-cM interval between D14S256 and D14S81 (Zmax = 24.78, multipoint linkage analysis). D14S291 and D14S280, located at the center of this interval, showed no obligate recombination with the MJD gene (Zmax = 5.93 for D14S291 and 9.99 for D14S280). A weak, but significant, linkage disequilibrium of MJD gene was noted with D14S81 (P < .05) but not with D14S291 or D14S280. These results suggest that a 3.6-cM interval flanked by D14S291/D14S280 and D14S81 is the most likely location of the MJD gene and that it is closest to D14S81.

In vitro effect of endothelin-1 on collagen, and ADP-induced aggregation in human whole blood and platelet rich plasma

The effect of ET-1 on ADP- and collagen-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood and platelet rich plasma (PRP) was studied in 39 healthy volunteers. Although ET-1 itself did not cause platelet aggregation, a marked enhancement of ADP-induced aggregation after the preincubation with ET-1 for 5 min was observed in whole blood, but not in PRP. This ET-1 concentration and preincubation time-dependent phenomenon could be demonstrated only at threshold concentrations (5 and 7.5 microM) of ADP and is probably due to an interaction of ET-1 with cells which are involved in the whole blood aggregation, such as polymorphonuclear neutrophils. In whole blood and PRP an inhibition of collagen-induced aggregation after the preincubation with ET-1 was detected. In contrast to ADP, a direct influence of ET-1 on platelet activation after the addition of collagen is therefore more likely. These results suggest that human platelets may possess ET-1 receptor(s) and that ET-1 may also interact with other blood cells.

Studies on Taiwan folk medicine, thang-kau-tin (II): Measurement of active oxygen scavenging activity using an ESR technique

Using an electron spin resonance (ESR) technique, we measured the superoxide radical (O2) and hydroxyl radical (OH) scavenging activity from Mallotus repandus (Willd.) Muell.-Arg., Bauhinia championii Benth., Uncaria hirsuta Haviland and Uncaria rhynchophylla Miquel. O2- and OH were detected as spin adducts of spin traps 5,5-dimethylpyrroline-N-oxide (DMPO). The scavenging potencies of water extracts of crude drugs were evaluated in terms of their ability to reduce the peaks of spin adducts. The extract of B. championii showed the greatest superoxide radical and hydroxyl radical scavenger activity.

Amino acids, serotonin, and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid following foot shock in rats

Concentrations of tryptophan, serotonin (5-HT), and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in brain and plasma, as well as plasma amino acid composition, were measured after 1-h foot shock. Stress induced a rise in both plasma and brain 5-HIAA, whereas 5-HT concentration was found to be increased only in plasma. A prominent rise in brain tryptophan was observed, whereas in plasma, foot shock caused a significant increase only in tryptophan level. Concentrations of other amino acids were found to be either decreased or unchanged. Ratio of tryptophan to the other long-chain neutral amino acids increased significantly following foot shock. It is possible that stress-related changes in 5-HT turnover are due to increased plasma tryptophan, in turn causing a rise in brain tryprophan, necessary to cope with enhanced 5-HT metabolism, reflected as a rise in 5-HIAA levels.

Acquisition of pathogenicity of a Newcastle disease virus isolated from a Japanese quail by intracerebral passage in chickens

Newcastle disease virus (NDV) was isolated from a Japanese quail (Cotornix cotornix japonica). The effect of intracerebral and intranasal passages of the NDV in chickens on the pathogenicity was studied. Pathogenicity of the viruses of different passage levels was compared with that of the original isolate by the mean death time with the minimum lethal dose in chicken embryos, intracerebral pathogenicity index in day-old chicks, intravenous pathogenicity index with 6-week-old chickens and the mortality rates of chickens and quails inoculated intravenously or intranasally. The original isolate from the quail did not kill chickens but only embryos and some one-day-old chicks, exhibiting a mesogenic character. Pathogenicity of the virus of the 10th intranasal passage was not different from that of the original isolate. The viruses passaged intracerebrally, on the other hand, killed chickens of all ages by either route of inoculation, showing a velogenic property. Virus recovery from the blood and the brain was positive only in the chickens infected with brain-passaged viruses by any route of inoculation. Virus titers in the tissues of chickens infected with the brain-passaged viruses were higher than those with the original isolate and the virus of the 10th intranasal passage. These results indicate that the enhanced pathogenicity of the mesogenic NDV isolate from the quail for chickens was induced by acquiring the properties of neurotropism and pantropism through intracerebral passage in chickens.

Postoperative changes in plasma tissue-type plasminogen activator and type 1 plasminogen activator inhibitor

To clarify the changes which occur postoperatively in intravascular fibrinolysis, plasma levels of tissue-type plasminogen activator (t-PA) antigen, the total plasminogen activator inhibitor type-1 (PAI-1) antigen, and the t-PA-PAI-1 complexes were assayed in this study. Blood samples were taken the morning before surgery, then at 0, 12, 24, 36, 60, 108, and 156 h postoperatively in ten patients who underwent radical surgery for thoracic esophageal cancer. The plasma levels of the t-PA and total PAI-1 antigens, and the t-PA-PAI-1 complexes were then measured by enzyme immunoassay. The plasma t-PA and total PAI-1 levels increased significantly in the immediate postoperative period, the percent increase of the latter being much greater than that of the former. Moreover, the calculated free t-PA antigen level was decreased throughout the postoperative period, suggesting postoperative hypofibrinolysis. The platelet count and neutrophil elastase level were significantly correlated with the free t-PA antigen level at r = 0.630, P < 0.001, and r = -0.447, P < 0.01, respectively. The results of this study indicated that post-operative hypofibrinolysis caused by the increased synthesis of PAI-1 may enhance postoperative hypercoagulability, and this may lead to the development of organ damage. Thus, the concentration of the PAI-1 antigen may be a potentially important index for the prediction of postoperative illness.

N,N,N-trimethylsphingosine modifies aggregatory response and ATP release from platelets in whole blood

We investigated the influence of N,N,N-trimethylsphingosine (TMS), a potent inhibitor of protein kinase C (PKC), on whole blood aggregation and ATP release from platelets. The preincubation with TMS at 1 microM for 2 min enhanced ATP release during arachidonic acid-induced aggregation. The ristocetin-induced agglutination was inhibited in a TMS concentration-dependent manner, which suggests that TMS may interact with the vWF receptor on platelets. TMS suppressed aggregatory response and ATP release from platelets after the addition of collagen. In contrast, the platelet aggregation induced by ADP and 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) was only slightly inhibited and the ATP release was not influenced after preincubation with TMS. Our results are in contrast to previous reported data, which were obtained using PRP and washed platelets.

Heparin and heparan sulfate enhancement of the inhibitory activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 toward urokinase type plasminogen activator

To study effects of glycosaminoglycan on the interaction between two chain urokinase type plasminogen activator (tcu-PA) (EC 3.4.21.31) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1) the second order rate constant (k1) between high molecular weight tcu-PA and active recombinant prokaryotic PAI-1 (rpPAI-1) was determined employing a continuous method using chromogenic substrate S-2444 either in the presence or absence of various kinds of glycosaminoglycans. k1 was (5.9 +/- 1.6).10(6)/mol per s in the absence of effector molecule, and following addition of heparin (1.0 U/ml) k1 was enhanced to (3.22 +/- 0.73).10(7). A significant enhancement of k1 was also obtained by heparan sulfate (1.87 +/- 0.25).10(7). Dermatan sulfate or chondroitin sulfate did not show a significant effect on k1 although a slight decrease was obtained by mono-dextran sulfate (4.2 +/- 1.2).10(6). The intrinsic fluorescence of rpPAI-1 was shown to be slightly increased following addition of heparin (1.49 +/- 0.22%, n = 6), suggesting that heparin may enhance the inhibitory activity of PAI-1 toward tcu-PA both by a template mechanism and by a modification of PAI-1 structure.

Genetic polymorphisms of cytochrome P4502E1 related to the development of alcoholic liver disease

BACKGROUND/AIMS

Because heavy drinkers do not always develop alcoholic liver disease (ALD), genetic factors may be involved. Cytochrome P4502E1 is the main enzyme that oxidizes ethanol in the non-alcohol dehydrogenase pathway. Recently, the presence of genetic polymorphisms of this enzyme was confirmed. In the present study, the genotypes of P4502E1 were analyzed in patients with or without ALD.

METHODS

After extraction of DNA from white blood cells, genotypes of P4502E1 were determined by restriction fragment length polymorphisms using two endonucleases. The genotypes were separated into three types: type A, type C (homozygous for the c1 or c2 gene), and type B (heterozygous for both genes).

RESULTS

In 50 patients with ALD, the prevalence of type A was 16% and that of the c2 gene was 84%. The genotypes in 10 heavy drinkers without ALD were all type A. In 34 patients with non-alcoholic liver disease and in 88 patients without hepatobiliary disease, the prevalence of type A was 65% and 71%, respectively, indicating a significantly higher prevalence of the c2 gene in ALD. In healthy nonalcoholics, the prevalence of type A was 62%-68%.

CONCLUSIONS

These results suggest that polymorphisms of P4502E1 may be related to the development of ALD.

Full-length sequence of the genome of hepatitis C virus type 3a: comparative study with different genotypes

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) type K3a (type 3a), which represents a minor genotype in Europe, the U.S.A. and Asia, appears to be significantly distributed throughout Australia and Brazil. We amplified the HCV-K3a/650 genome by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction in ten overlapping fragments and determined the nucleotide sequences. The total sequence was 9454 bases in length and contained an open reading frame of 3021 amino acids, which is 10 or 11 amino acids longer than in HCV type 1 and 12 amino acids shorter than the sequence of type 2. These differences were due to the different lengths of both the putative envelope protein E2 and the NS5A regions, whose nucleotide lengths differ between types 1 and 2 also. Phylogenetic analysis of the putative core region and a portion of NS5B encoding the Gly-Asp-Asp motif indicated that HCV-K3a closely matched the corresponding type 3a group. The deletion and addition of amino acids in both E2 and NS5A may be associated with their pathobiological features.

Medroxyprogesterone acetate (mpa) increases pai-1 secretion from huvec and elevates the plasma-levels of pai-I in-vivo

Plasma levels of tissue type plasminogen activator (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1) in patients administered with medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA) (800 mg/day) or tamoxifen (20 mg/day) were assayed. Active free PAI-1 levels of patients given MPA were significantly higher than those either given tamoxifen or post adjuvant therapy, t-PA antigen levels were not different among the three groups. In in vitro study, treatment of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) with MPA (10(-6)-10(-8) M) decreased PAI-1 levels significantly with a trend to decrease in t-PA levels.

Genotypes of ALDH2 related to liver and pulmonary diseases and other genetic factors related to alcoholic liver disease

Genetic factors related to the development of alcoholic liver and pancreatic diseases (ALD and APD) and of alcohol-induced asthma were analyzed. The development of ALD is genetically controlled and is directly associated with the polymorphisms of the genes of acetaldehyde (Ac-CHO) and ethanol-metabolizing enzymes, aldehyde dehydrogenase-2 (ALDH2) and cytochrome P4502E1. The development of ALD and APD may also be genetically linked with the induction of gamma-glutamyl transferase (GTT) by alcohol. Alcohol-induced asthma is related to the genotypes of ALDH2 and is caused by rapid elevation of blood Ac-CHO. ALDH1 plays a very important role in the oxidation of Ac-CHO in blood.

Serotonergic measures in cyclosporine A treated rats

Whole blood and plasma serotonin (5-HT), its major metabolite--5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA), renal cortical blood flow, serum creatinine and whole blood cyclosporine A (CyA) levels were investigated in rats administered with CyA at a dose of 5 mg/kg b.w. or 10 mg/kg b.w. for 14 consecutive days. Serum creatinine remained unaltered during CyA treatment and no apparent changes in excised kidneys were found. Dose-dependent increases in whole blood and plasma 5-HT as well as whole blood 5-HIAA levels were observed. Renal cortical blood flow declined significantly and correlated inversely with whole blood 5-HT and 5-HIAA as well as with plasma 5-HT. Whole blood 5-HT was positively related to whole blood CyA levels. Taking all these data into account and considering the fact that 5-HT is a potent vasoconstrictor, a possible role of this amine in the pathogenesis of renal ischemia during CyA administration is suggested.

Fibrinolysis and serotonin under cyclosporine A treatment in renal transplant recipients

Cyclosporine A (CyA), a potent immunosuppressive drug, has been used in renal transplant recipients with increasing frequency since 1982. Despite its efficacy, CyA therapy has been associated with an increased incidence of thromboembolic complications. This has been attributed to increased thromboxane production, reduced prostacyclin synthesis and increased platelet aggregability. The coagulation system is also altered in CyA-treated patients and some of these changes would favor thrombosis. Increased fibrinogen and FVII:C levels have also been associated with an enhanced risk of thrombosis. In contrast, CyA therapy was reported to increase the levels of antithrombin III and protein C, two proteins known to protect against venous thromboembolism. However, the possible effect of CyA on the fibrinolytic system has not been thoroughly investigated and rather confusing data have been reported concerning both enhancement and suppression of fibrinolysis. Serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) may play a role in hemostasis and platelet/vessel wall interactions. It may facilitate platelet thrombus formation by potentiating the aggregatory response to other agents such as ADP, collagen or epinephrine and by causing vasoconstriction. Taking all these data into consideration we have measured some fibrinolytic parameters, whole blood and plasma serotonin concentration in cyclosporine A- and non-cyclosporine A-treated kidney transplant recipients.

Correlations between platelet aggregation, fibrinolysis, peripheral and central serotonergic measures in subhuman primates

We have studied the relationships between whole blood and plasma serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT), its major metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) and serum lipids, platelet aggregation in the whole blood and in the platelet-rich plasma (PRP), and some fibrinolytic parameters in monkeys. Plasma 5-HT was found to be positively related to 5-HT- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation, tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) activity, serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, whereas 5-HT in cerebrospinal fluid correlated inversely with serum cholesterol. Plasminogen activator inhibitor (PAI) activity was positively related to LDL. Euglobulin clot lysis time was related to both tPA and PAI activities. The significance of these findings and the possible role of 5-HT in atherogenesis and hemostasis are discussed.

Daily variations of platelet aggregation in relation to blood and plasma serotonin in diabetes

The circadian rhythms of platelet aggregation in the whole blood and platelet rich plasma-PRP and plasma serotonin were studied in healthy volunteers (n = 10) and diabetic patients (type II diabetes mellitus n = 12). Platelet aggregation in the whole blood induced by collagen (2 micrograms/ml), ADP (10 microM), arachidonic acid (0.5 mM) and epinephrine (10 microM), and in PRP induced by collagen (2 micrograms/ml), ADP (5 microM), arachidonic acid (250 microM), epinephrine (10 microM) and serotonin-5-HT (1 microM) was measured at 7:30, 11:30, 17:00, 23:00, 4:00 and 7:00. In healthy subjects collagen- and ADP-induced platelet aggregation in the whole blood was significantly lower at 23:00 and 4:00 when compared to values at 7:30. In PRP normal and diabetic platelet response was the lowest during the night. Diabetic platelets exhibited an enhanced response to 5-HT starting from 17:00 until 4:00 when compared to 7:30. 5-HT-induced platelet aggregation was found to be significantly higher throughout the study in DM patients over controls in parallel to plasma 5-HT. In healthy volunteers plasma 5-HT was higher at 17:00 when compared to baseline values, whereas in DM patients plasma 5-HT was elevated starting from 17:00 until 4:00. An enhanced response of diabetic platelets to 5-HT together with elevated plasma 5-HT levels may contribute, at least partly, to the pathogenesis of diabetic vasculopathy and 5HT2 receptor blockers may be of value in DM patients.

Genetic heterogeneity of dominantly inherited olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) in the Japanese: linkage study of two pedigrees and evidence for the disease locus on chromosome 12q (SCA2)

We did a linkage study of 2 multigenerational pedigrees with dominant olivopontocerebellar atrophy (OPCA) other than SCA1, with chromosome 12q microsatellites. Multipoint linkage analysis led to the conclusion that the disease locus locates within the 6.2 cM interval between IGF1 and D12S84/D12S105. This result coincides with that of Cuban ataxia pedigrees designated as SCA2. Our study provides genetic evidence that dominant OPCA in the Japanese consists of at least two genetically different disorders; SCA1 and SCA2.

Deficiency of the fourth component of complement (C4): a family case

In this report, an apparently healthy 38-year-old woman with a remarkably low serum C4 value is described together with other family members who had moderately low serum C4. Plasma C4 typing disclosed that the proband inherited two C4B "null" haplotypes. In addition, Southern blot analysis of the C4 gene indicated that the C4A gene was partially deleted on one of these two haplotypes in the proband. We thus concluded that a de novo deletion on the inherited half-null haplotype was the likeliest cause of the low C4 level.

Growth-promoting effect of bacterial products from Clostridium perfringens on human keratinocytes

Wound healing substance (WHS) from cultured Clostridium perfringens has been reported to be effective in the treatment of wounds. The effects of WHS, now named SNK-863, on proliferation and differentiation of human keratinocytes were examined. The characteristics of WHS are as follows: 1) WHS stimulates human keratinocyte growth and DNA synthesis; 2) WHS and EGF show some additive effects on human keratinocyte growth; 3) WHS does not interfere with the binding of EGF to its receptor; 4) WHS does not counteract the growth inhibitory effects of TGF-beta or vitamin D3 on human keratinocytes; 5) WHS has no significant effect on human keratinocyte differentiation. These results indicate that the growth-promoting effect of WHS on keratinocytes may contribute to the treatment of wound healing.

Protection of mice against Aujeszky's disease virus infection by intranasal vaccination with inactivated virus

Intranasal vaccination of mice with inactivated Aujeszky's disease virus (ADV) induced IgA and IgG antibody responses to the virus in the secretion of the respiratory tract, resulting in complete protection of the animals against intranasal challenge with virulent ADV. The immune response was enhanced by the use of the cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) as an adjuvant. On the other hand, subcutaneous vaccination of mice with inactivated ADV, even together with CTB, scarcely stimulated secretory antibody responses, resulting in only partial protection. The present results suggest that development of a vaccination procedure to stimulate the mucosal immune response should improve the protective effects of the inactivated herpesvirus vaccines, and thereby make it possible to control the infections by prohibiting virus replication at the site where primary infection takes place, as well as inhibiting subsequent latency and reactivation of the virus.

Fenestration of the middle cerebral artery associated with an aneurysm--case report

A 36-year-old female suddenly developed a severe headache. Computed tomography demonstrated subarachnoid hemorrhage in the left Sylvian fissure. Left carotid angiography revealed a fenestration at the distal portion of the M1 portion of the left middle cerebral artery, and an aneurysm arising from the proximal end of the fenestration. These findings were confirmed when the aneurysm neck was clipped. The embryonic origin of this lesion indicates that congenital factors may result in aneurysm formation.

The significant enhancement of fibrinolysis by calcium ion in a cell free system: the shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time by calcium ion

We investigated the roles of calcium ion (Ca2+) on euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT) and found that the physiological concentration of Ca2+ significantly (4-5 times) shortened ECLT. The shortening was observed at the concentration of Ca2+ higher than 1.5-2.0 mM. Other divalent cations such as Mg2+, Zn2+ or Mn2+ didn't change ECLT. Anti-tPA antibody or plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 prolonged ECLT in the absence of Ca2+, whereas they had no effect on ECLT shortened by Ca2+. C1 inactivator also had no effect. When barium absorbed plasma was employed, the shortening of ECLT by Ca2+ wasn't observed, whereas it was recovered by the readdition of barium absorbed fraction. When factor X deficient plasma was employed, the shortening of ECLT by Ca2+ was also not observed. Thus, Ca2+ enhances fibrinolysis in a cell free system by a novel pathway in which the presence of factor X is prerequisite.

Time-dependent changes in platelet aggregation, fibrinolytic activity, and peripheral serotonergic measures in rats subjected to water immersion restraint stress

The effects of water immersion restraint stress on collagen-induced platelet aggregation in whole blood, and on the fibrinolytic and serotonergic systems in rats have been studied. One hour long stress caused a release of tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) into the blood and a shortening of euglobulin clot lysis time (ECLT), whereas restraint of longer duration was responsible for a reduction in platelet aggregation, an elevation in the activity of plasminogen activator inhibitor with a concomitant fall in tPA and a prolongation of ECLT relative to controls. Whole-blood and plasma serotonin and its metabolite 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid were also higher in the stressed rats and whole-blood serotonin level showed a negative correlation with tPA in the stressed rats. Either stress and/or its duration are responsible for changes in both fibrinolytic and serotonergic systems.

Electric-foot-shock induced the suppression of fibrinolytic activity in rats

Electric-foot-shock was given to rats to initiate constant mental stress and its effect on fibrinolytic activity was analyzed. After the termination of electric-foot-shock which was given for an hour, euglobulin clot lysis time in the stressed group significantly prolonged than those in the control group. tissue plasminogen activator activity was also significantly lower in the stressed group. These effects lasted at least for an hour and returned to the control values 24 hours after the stress. Whole blood serotonin levels, which mainly show serotonin contents in platelets, were higher in the stressed group. A negative correlation between whole blood serotonin and tPA activity in the stressed group was obtained. These results suggest that prolonged mental stress impairs fibrinolysis by decreasing tPA activity with a concomitant increase of serotonin contents in platelets.