Role of increased circulating and renal adrenomedullin in rats with malignant hypertension

Although it has been reported that the circulating adrenomedullin (AM) level is elevated in hypertension and renal failure, the pathophysiological significance of circulating and intrarenal AM in malignant hypertension remains unknown. We investigated the circulating and intrarenal AM system in rats with malignant hypertension by measuring the plasma level, renal tissue level, and mRNA abundance of AM and the mRNA abundance of AM receptor. We also investigated the effects of intravenously infused calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP)-(8-37), an antagonist of AM, on the hemodynamics and renal tubular function. We studied the following four groups: control Wistar-Kyoto rats (WKY), control spontaneously hypertensive rats (C-SHR), salt-loaded SHR (S-SHR), and DOCA-salt SHR (D-SHR). After 3 wk of DOCA treatment, D-SHR developed malignant hypertension. D-SHR were characterized by higher blood pressure, kidney weight, urinary protein excretion and blood urea nitrogen, and lower creatinine clearance compared with the other three groups. The plasma AM level and urinary excretion of AM were markedly higher in D-SHR than in the other three groups. In the kidney, the tissue AM level and the expression of AM mRNA in the renal medulla were significantly increased in D-SHR compared with the other three groups, whereas there were no significant differences in these levels in the renal cortex among the four groups. In the renal AM receptor system, the expression of the gene for receptor activity modifying protein 3 was significantly increased in the renal medulla in D-SHR compared with the other three groups. An immunohistochemical study revealed that AM immunostaining in renal collecting duct cells and distal tubules was more intense in D-SHR than in the other three groups. After CGRP-(8-37) infusion, blood pressure increased significantly and urinary sodium excretion and urine flow decreased significantly only in D-SHR. These results suggest that the increased circulating AM and renal AM and the increased expression of the mRNA for AM and its receptor may at least partly compensate for the malignant hypertensive state in certain forms of malignant hypertension via the hypotensive, natriuretic, and diuretic actions of AM.

Relationship of the microvascular type to the tumor size, arterialization and dedifferentiation of human hepatocellular carcinoma

Unlike normal liver with the sinusoids, hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) possess capillaries. Whether these capillaries derive from the sinusoids remains unclear in human HCCs. This study aimed to examine sinusoidal capillarization in human HCCs and its relationship to the tumor size, arterialization and dedifferentiation. Thirty-eight HCCs with a diameter of 10 - 140 mm were pathologically and angiographically examined. By electron microscopy, the microvasculature of tumors was classified into sinusoidal, intermediate and capillary types, which were all negative, partially positive and all positive, respectively, for four parameters, i.e., endothelial defenestration, continuous basement membrane, lack of Kupffer cells, and lack of lipid-containing hepatic stellate cells. Well-, moderately and poorly differentiated HCCs displayed sinusoidal / intermediate / capillary types, intermediate / capillary types and only capillary type, respectively, suggesting the transition from the sinusoids to capillaries in well-differentiated (and probably moderately differentiated) HCCs. Furthermore, well-differentiated HCCs with a diameter of less than 30 mm often received preferential portal venous blood, while moderately and poorly differentiated ones were all supplied with arterial blood, indicating a relationship between dedifferentiation and arterialization. In contrast, the microvascular type displayed no significant relationship with tumor size or arterialization in well-differentiated HCCs. The present study has demonstrated that sinusoidal capillarization occurs in human well-differentiated HCCs and seems to be related to dedifferentiation of parenchymal tumor cells, but not to tumor size or arterialization.

Inhibition of plastocyanin to P(700)(+) electron transfer in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by hyperosmotic stress

Oxygen electrode and fluorescence studies demonstrate that linear electron transport in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can be completely abolished by abrupt hyperosmotic shock. We show that the most likely primary site of inhibition of electron transfer by hyperosmotic shock is a blockage of electron transfer between plastocyanin (PC) or cytochrome c(6) and P(700). The effects on this reaction were reversible upon dilution of the osmolytes and the stability of plastocyanin or photosystem (PS) I was unaffected. Electron micrographs of osmotically shocked cells showed a significant decrease in the thylakoid lumen volume. Comparison of estimated lumenal width with the x-ray structures of plastocyanin and PS I suggest that lumenal space contracts during HOS so as to hinder the movement of docking to PS I of plastocyanin or cytochrome c(6).

Inhibition of plastocyanin to P(700)(+) electron transfer in Chlamydomonas reinhardtii by hyperosmotic stress

Oxygen electrode and fluorescence studies demonstrate that linear electron transport in the freshwater alga Chlamydomonas reinhardtii can be completely abolished by abrupt hyperosmotic shock. We show that the most likely primary site of inhibition of electron transfer by hyperosmotic shock is a blockage of electron transfer between plastocyanin (PC) or cytochrome c(6) and P(700). The effects on this reaction were reversible upon dilution of the osmolytes and the stability of plastocyanin or photosystem (PS) I was unaffected. Electron micrographs of osmotically shocked cells showed a significant decrease in the thylakoid lumen volume. Comparison of estimated lumenal width with the x-ray structures of plastocyanin and PS I suggest that lumenal space contracts during HOS so as to hinder the movement of docking to PS I of plastocyanin or cytochrome c(6).

Influence of humoral immunoreaction on hepatic nonparenchymal cells in ex situ xenoperfused rat livers

BACKGROUND

The influence of xenogeneic humoral immunoreaction on hepatic nonparenchymal cells (NPCs) was evaluated ex situ in xenoperfused rat livers.

METHODS

Isolated rat livers were perfused via the portal vein (PV) for 240 min. The perfusates consisted of fresh rat blood (group 1), fresh human blood (group 2), and fresh human blood containing 5 microg/mL soluble complement receptor type 1 (Group 3).

RESULTS

Deposition of human IgM and C(5b-9) complement was observed in group 2, although only human IgM deposition was detected in group 3. Portal vein pressure in group 2 rose drastically during the first 10 min. Creatine kinase BB component gradually increased in all groups, followed by an elevation in alanine aminotransferase and both parameters were significantly higher in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. In group 2, platelet thrombi in the peripheral PVs and periportal hemorrhage were observed after 10 min, and massive necrosis around the central veins after 240 min; these changes were not observed in group 1 or 3. Production of tumor necrosis factor alpha and alpha interferon and expression of intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were lower in group 2 than in groups 1 and 3. In group 2, there were negative areas for ICAM-1 and tumor necrosis factor alpha staining around the central veins after 240 min, which were consistent with necrotic areas.

CONCLUSIONS

In xenoperfused rat livers, humoral mediators initially caused the disturbance of microcirculation, which would induce long ischemia in the pericentral areas, resulting in massive necrosis. NPC necrosis may be responsible for less production of cytokines and adhesion molecules in the xenoperfused livers.

Influence of extracorporeal porcine liver perfusion on nonhuman primates: minimizing hemolysis improves subsequent survival

The aim of this study is to detect and analyze risk factors of direct cross-circulation between porcine liver and nonhuman primates before a clinical application of extracorporeal liver perfusion (ECLP) as a liver-assist method. Porcine livers were perfused with baboon blood in an ECLP system. Six healthy baboons were directly connected to the ECLP system with continuous prostaglandin E(1) administration. Cross-circulation was terminated in the following circumstances: (1) hepatic arterial or portal perfusion pressures elevated to 200 or 60 mm Hg, respectively; (2) massive exudative bleeding from the graft surface; or (3) bile output decreased to less than 5 microL/h/g of liver weight. In case 1, cross-circulation was continued for 10 hours. Severe macroscopic hemolysis occurred, and serum hemoglobin (s-Hb) concentration reached a peak of 47 mg/dL. The baboon died of acute renal failure 2 days later. Histological study of the perfused porcine liver showed marked microthrombi formation. In 3 of the later 5 cases, cross-circulation was discontinued when mild macroscopic hemolysis was observed. The duration of the 5 cross-circulations was maximally 6 hours (mean, 4.4 +/- 1.2 [SD] hours). Mean s-Hb concentration in the 5 cases was elevated to 14.8 +/- 5.8 mg/dL at the end of cross-circulation and decreased to the baseline level within 24 hours. These 5 baboons survived without organ dysfunction or immunologic disturbance. When severe hemolysis is avoided, direct cross-circulation using the ECLP system can be achieved without serious complications in nonhuman primates.

Subtotal corpectomy versus laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy: a long-term follow-up study over 10 years

STUDY DESIGN

A retrospective study was conducted.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the long-term outcomes of subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

No study has compared the long-term outcomes between subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy.

METHODS

In this study, 23 patients treated with subtotal corpectomy and 24 patients treated with laminoplasty were followed up for 10 to 14 years after surgery. Neurologic recovery, late deterioration, axial pain, radiographic results (degenerative changes at adjacent levels, alignment, and range of motion of the cervical spine), and surgical complications were compared between the two groups.

RESULTS

No significant difference in neurologic recovery was found between the two groups 1 and 5 years after surgery, or at the latest follow-up assessment. Neurologic status deteriorated in one patient of the subtotal corpectomy group because of adjacent degeneration, and in one patient of the laminoplasty group because of hyperextension injury. Axial pain was observed in 15% of the corpectomy group and in 40% of the laminoplasty group (P < 0.05). In the corpectomy group, listhesis exceeding 2 mm developed at 38% of the upper adjacent levels, and osteophyte formation at 54% of the lower adjacent levels. In the laminoplasty group, kyphotic deformity developed in one patient (6%) after surgery. In the corpectomy group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 39.4 degrees to 19.2 degrees (49%) by the final follow-up assessment. In the laminoplasty group, the mean vertebral range of motion had decreased from 40.2 degrees to 11.6 degrees (29%) by the final follow-up assessment. Neurologic complications related to the surgery occurred in two patients (one myelopathy from bone graft dislodgement and one C5 root palsy from bone graft fracture) of the corpectomy group and four patients (C5 root palsy) of the laminoplasty group. All of these patients recovered over time. The corpectomy group needed longer operative time (P < 0.001) and tended to have more blood loss (P = 0.24). Six patients in the corpectomy group needed posterior interspinous wiring because of pseudarthrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Subtotal corpectomy and laminoplasty showed an identical effect from a surgical treatment for multilevel cervical spondylotic myelopathy. These neurologic recoveries usually last more than 10 years. In the subtotal corpectomy group, the disadvantages were longer surgical time, more blood loss, and pseudarthrosis. In the laminoplasty group, axial pain occurred frequently, and the range of motion was reduced severely.

[A 68-year-old man with speech disturbance as the initial symptom followed by bradykinesia and dementia. Clinical conference]

We report a 68-year-old man with progressive speech disturbance and dementia. He was well until 1995, when he noted an onset of difficulty in speech. He was able to name simple objects and understand language, however, he showed great difficulty in spontaneous speech. In 1998, he visited our service. He was alert and oriented, but he showed moderate degree of dementia. He did not appear to have aphasia but he showed marked dysarthria and slurred speech. He showed limb-kinetic apraxia in his right hand. He showed moderate restriction in his vertical gaze, masked face, and dysphagia. He walked normally. No rigidity, ataxia, or abnormal involuntary movement was noted. He showed grasp response and he was bradykinetic. He was treated with levodopa without effect. His condition deteriorated slowly and he was admitted to our service because of fever on February 13, 1999. He was alert but almost mute. He was unable to look upward or downward. Oculocephalic response was preserved. Axial rigidity was noted but no limb rigidity was present. He walked with small steps. Retropulsion was present. Deep tendon reflexes were diminished and the plantar response was flexor bilaterally. Laboratory examinations were unremarkable and his fever went down within a few days by supportive treatment. He was discharged to his home, where his condition deteriorated further. He developed cardiopulmonary arrest on May 3, 1999 and was brought into ER again. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation was unsuccessful and he was pronounced dead at 7:30 in the morning on the same day. The patient was discussed in a neurological CPC. The chief discussant arrived at the conclusion that this patient had corticobasal degeneration. But he felt that the differential diagnosis from atypical progressive supranuclear palsy, in which cortical pathology and symptoms predominated as in corticobasal degeneration, would be extremely difficult. Most of the participants felt that this patient had corticobasal degeneration, but a few thought that he had atypical PSP. Post-mortem examination revealed asymmetric cortical atrophy, which was accentuated in the left motor cortical area. Microscopic examination of the precentral cortex revealed neuronal loss and gliosis. Ballooned neurons and astrocytic plaques were also seen. The substantia nigra showed marked neuronal loss. Neuropil threads were observed in the nigra. Those threads were positive for anti-tau immunohistochemistry. The internal segment of the globus pallidus, the subthalamic nucleus, and the cerebellar dentate nucleus showed mild to moderate neuronal loss. A few neurofibrillary tangle-positive neurons were seen in these structures. Neuropil threads were also seen throughout. Pathologic changes were consistent with the diagnosis of corticobasal degeneration. One of the participants pointed out that he was able to walk at the time when he was showing marked speech disturbance and limb-kinetic apraxia, which was rather unusual for PSP suggesting corticobasal degeneration.

Effects of prostaglandin E(1) on the efficacy of xenogeneic extracorporeal pig liver perfusion in a canine model of acute liver failure

Xenogeneic extracorporeal liver perfusion (ECLP) has the potential to become an important tool in the management of patients with severe liver failure. We previously showed that xenogeneic pig liver perfusion may be prolonged for up to 9 hours by the administration of prostaglandin E(1) (PGE(1)). In this study, we used a canine model of acute liver failure to evaluate the effects of PGE(1) on the efficacy of ECLP as a liver-assist device. Liver failure was surgically induced in 12 beagle dogs, with a control group (group 1, n = 4) not connected to the ECLP circuit. Direct cross-circulation between the dogs and the ECLP circuit using a pig liver was performed without (group 2, n = 4) or with (group 3, n = 4) continuous administration of PGE(1) through the portal vein of the pig liver. The duration of cross-circulation in group 3 (9.4 +/- 1.2 hours) was significantly longer than in group 2 (4.3 +/- 1.0 hours). In addition, elevation of blood ammonia, total bile acid, and hyaluronic acid levels was less marked in group 3 compared with the other 2 groups. The ratio of branched-chain amino acids to aromatic amino acids was also improved in group 3. The mean survival time in group 3 (26.6 +/- 0.4 hours) was significantly longer than in group 1 (15.5 +/- 1.3 hours) or group 2 (17.1 +/- 2.9 hours). Continuous administration of PGE(1) to xenogeneic ECLP resulted in a significant improvement in both liver function and survival time of dogs with surgically induced liver failure.

Structure and characterization of the gene encoding alpha subunit of soybean beta-conglycinin

beta-conglycinin, a soybean seed storage protein, is comprised of three different subunits, a, alpha', and beta. Several candidates for the alpha subunit gene have been isolated, however, the structure of the alpha subunit gene has not been completely determined. Accordingly, it was also unknown which of the gene candidates are functionally active. Here, we have determined the nucleotide sequence and transcription start site of the alpha subunit gene, and compared the structural components with those of the other subunits or other seed protein genes. The a subunit gene, which is located on a 7.6-kb EcoRI fragment, was composed of six exons that had the same organization as those for the alpha' subunit gene. Within a 400 bp upstream region of the transcription start site, four regions (designated as boxes I, II, III, and IV) were found to be conserved among the alpha, alpha', and other seed protein genes. Genomic Southern blot analysis of soybean varieties lacking the alpha subunit gene candidate indicated that the gene characterized in this paper actually encodes the a subunit and is functionally active. In addition, these experiments revealed the presence of an additional gene which is also responsible for the expression of the a subunit.

[Executive function in Parkinson's disease]

Executive function declines in Parkinson's disease (PD). However, it has not been clearly shown at what stage in PD, this decline starts to occur. We here report a study aiming to answer this question. We conducted Wisconsin Card Sorting Test (WCST) and Trail Making Test A and B (TMT A, B) in three normal control groups (young, adult, and aged) and three PD patients groups (Hoehn & Yahr stage I, II, and III). We intend to analyze at what age or stage the decline in executive function would take place. The score of all the normal subjects and PD patients were 25 points or above by Mini-Mental State Examination. WCST in stage I PD patients (mean age 60.8, n = 9) was essentially same as those of young normal (mean age 23.1, n = 9) and adult normal (mean age 61.5, n = 10) subjects. Elderly normal subjects (mean age 75.8, n = 4) showed a significantly lower mean category achievement score (3.0 as the mean score) and higher numbers of errors and perseverations compared with those of young and adult normal subjects. Stage II (mean age 62.6, n = 8) and III PD (mean age 62.9, n = 8) patients showed significantly lower mean category achievement scores (2.4 and 2.1, respectively as the mean scores) and higher numbers of errors and perseverations compared with those of adult control subjects (5.4 as a mean score). TMT (B-A) in elderly normal subjects revealed significantly longer score (209 seconds as the mean score) compared with those of young and adult normal subjects (20 and 45 seconds, respectively as the mean scores). TMT (B-A) in stage III PD patients was significantly longer (219 seconds) compared with that of adult normal subjects (45 seconds as the mean), however TMT (B-A) in stage II PD patients (102 seconds as the mean) did not show prolongation. TMT (B/A) showed essentially similar results as TMT (B-A), however, stage II PD patients showed significant prolongation compared with that of normal adult subjects. Therefore, TMT (B/A) appears to be a more sensitive indicator of decline in executive function in PD. Between WCST and TMT, the former appeared to be a more sensitive indicator. Our results indicate that the decline in executive function takes place in normal ageing. In PD, this decline starts much earlier than the normal subjects. The onset in this decline coincides with the stage of PD, in which bilateral symptoms start to present. Anatomo-chemical subsrate of cognitive decline in PD is still to be debated, however, we believe that involvement of nigro-caudatal projection is at least in part responsible, as nigroputaminal pathway is mainly involved in motor functions. We also point out the importance of age factor in the evaluation of cognitive-executive function in PD, as this function is age-dependent in normal subjects.

Prospects for xenotransplantation of the liver

A severe shortage of human livers for allotransplantation has sparked interest in the potential use of animals in lieu of humans as a source of livers, that is xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation might also provide a means by which recurrence of hepatitis might be averted. Among the types of xenografts that might be undertaken are extracorporeal "xenoperfusion" or perfusion of devices containing xenogeneic hepatocytes, auxiliary liver transplants, bridge liver transplants, and hepatocyte transplants. The hurdles to xenotransplantation of the liver include the immune response of the recipient against the graft, incompatibility of the graft with complex physiologic and biochemical systems of the recipient, and the possibility of transferring infectious agent from the graft to the recipient. Recent progress in characterizing and overcoming these hurdles has encouraged some optimism regarding the ultimate application of xenotransplantation for the treatment of human disease.

Supramolecular polar thin films built by surfactant liquid crystals: polarization-tunable multilayer self-assemblies with in-plane ferroelectric ordering of ion-based dipoles

Polar order in the phosphonium liquid crystal thin films, which are composed of two-dimensional ion-pair-based domains separated by the insulating hydrocarbon layers, was probed by second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis. Despite the ordinary amphiphilic self-assemblies containing no pi-electron moieties, the solid-state thin films retaining a smectic layer structure showed clearly an SHG activity, while the disordered films without the layer structure were not active at all for the SHG. It was found that the multilayer structure plays a crucial role for the SHG from the phosphonium thin films and the ionic layers act as an SHG-active site. The most significant characteristic of this system is to possess an ability to control SHG intensity electrically. The efficiency of the SHG process in the thin-film assemblies was enhanced by applying an external electric field parallel to the layer plane. Furthermore, through evaluation of thermal stability of the sample films, it was revealed that the SHG signals were detected only in the solid-state temperature range and the disappearance of the SHG occurs earlier than the solid-to-liquid crystalline phase transition. These results demonstrated that the origin of polar order in the phosphonium thin films is due to in-plane noncentrosymmetric arrangement (ferroelectric ordering) of ion pairs as an electric dipole, that is, dipole symmetry in an ionic layer.

Supramolecular polar thin films built by surfactant liquid crystals: polarization-tunable multilayer self-assemblies with in-plane ferroelectric ordering of ion-based dipoles

Polar order in the phosphonium liquid crystal thin films, which are composed of two-dimensional ion-pair-based domains separated by the insulating hydrocarbon layers, was probed by second harmonic generation (SHG) analysis. Despite the ordinary amphiphilic self-assemblies containing no pi-electron moieties, the solid-state thin films retaining a smectic layer structure showed clearly an SHG activity, while the disordered films without the layer structure were not active at all for the SHG. It was found that the multilayer structure plays a crucial role for the SHG from the phosphonium thin films and the ionic layers act as an SHG-active site. The most significant characteristic of this system is to possess an ability to control SHG intensity electrically. The efficiency of the SHG process in the thin-film assemblies was enhanced by applying an external electric field parallel to the layer plane. Furthermore, through evaluation of thermal stability of the sample films, it was revealed that the SHG signals were detected only in the solid-state temperature range and the disappearance of the SHG occurs earlier than the solid-to-liquid crystalline phase transition. These results demonstrated that the origin of polar order in the phosphonium thin films is due to in-plane noncentrosymmetric arrangement (ferroelectric ordering) of ion pairs as an electric dipole, that is, dipole symmetry in an ionic layer.

Contribution of electric field (Delta psi) to steady-state transthylakoid proton motive force (pmf) in vitro and in vivo. control of pmf parsing into Delta psi and Delta pH by ionic strength

The observed levels of Delta G(ATP) in chloroplasts, as well as the activation behavior of the CF(1)CF(0)-ATP synthase, suggest a minimum transthylakoid proton motive force (pmf) equivalent to a Delta pH of approximately 2.5 units. If, as is commonly believed, all transthylakoid pmf is stored as Delta pH, this would indicate a lumen pH of less than approximately 5. In contrast, we have presented evidence that the pH of the thylakoid lumen does not drop below pH approximately 5.8 [Kramer, D. M., Sacksteder, C. A., and Cruz, J. A. (1999) Photosynth. Res. 60, 151-163], leading us to propose that Delta psi can contribute to steady-state pmf. In this work, it is demonstrated, through assays on isolated thylakoids and computer simulations, that thylakoids can store a substantial fraction of pmf as Delta psi, provided that the activities of ions permeable to the thylakoid membrane in the chloroplast stromal compartment are relatively low and the buffering capacity (beta) for protons of the lumen is relatively high. Measurements of the light-induced electrochromic shift (ECS) confirm the ionic strength behavior of steady-state Delta psi in isolated, partially uncoupled thylakoids. Measurements of the ECS in intact plants illuminated for 65 s were consistent with low concentrations of permeable ions and approximately 50% storage of pmf as Delta psi. We propose that the plant cell, possibly at the level of the inner chloroplast envelope, can control the parsing of pmf into Delta psi and Delta pH by regulating the ionic strength and balance of the chloroplast. In addition, this work demonstrates that, under certain conditions, the kinetics of the light-induced ECS can be used to estimate the fractions of pmf stored as Delta psi and Delta pH both in vitro and in vivo.

[An 84-year-old woman with progressive mental deterioration and abnormal behavior]

We report an 84-year-old woman with progressive mental deterioration. She was well until January 1994, when she was 80 years of the age. At that time she developed a delusional ideation, in that she stated that she would be killed by her fellow members of the society for elderly, in which she was belonging. At times, she closed the shutter of her house saying that a stranger was wandering outside of her house. In 1995, she could not identify the face of her son's wife. When she went out for shopping, she lost her way to the home. She prowled about in and out of her home. In 1996, she had to be admitted to a nursing home, where quarrelled with other patients and behaved violently. She was admitted to the neurology service of Hatsuishi Hospital on November 20th, 1997. Family history revealed that her mother was said to be demented. On admission, she was alert and behaved in a good manner. She was disoriented to the time and unable to do serial 7. Her memory was very poor. She did not show aphasia or apraxia. Cranial nerves appeared to be intact. She showed no weakness or muscle atrophy. Gait was normal for her age. Plastic rigidity was noted in four limbs more on the right side. No ataxia was noted. Deep tendon reflexes were exaggerated, however, no Babinski sign was noted. Sensory examination was intact. Her hospital course was characterized by the development of progressive gait disturbance, violent behaviour, and prowling around. On November 30th, 1998, she fell down and suffered from a fracture in the neck of her femur. Although replacement of the femur head was performed, she became unable to walk after this episode. Her mental functions deteriorated further. She developed pneumonia and expired on February 2, 1999. She was discussed in a neurological CPC and the chief discussant arrived at a conclusion that the patient probably had diffuse Lewy body disease, because of the combination of dementia and parkinsonism. Other possibilities discussed in the CPC included Pick's disease, frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism, and Alzheimer's disease. Post-mortem examination revealed moderate atrophy in the frontal and temporal cortices. Microscopic examination showed atrophy and gliosis in the hippocampus. Many diffuse plaque and neuritic plaques were seen in the frontal cortex by methenamine silver staining. Neurofibrillary tangles were also found. The Meynert nucleus was preserved. The putamen and the substantia nigra were also intact. Pathologic diagnosis was consistent with Alzheimer's disease.

The proton to electron stoichiometry of steady-state photosynthesis in living plants: A proton-pumping Q cycle is continuously engaged

A noninvasive technique is introduced with which relative proton to electron stoichiometries (H(+)/e(-) ratios) for photosynthetic electron transfer can be obtained from leaves of living plants under steady-state illumination. Both electron and proton transfer fluxes were estimated by a modification of our previously reported dark-interval relaxation kinetics (DIRK) analysis, in which processes that occur upon rapid shuttering of the actinic light are analyzed. Rates of turnover of linear electron transfer through the cytochrome (cyt) b(6)f complex were estimated by measuring the DIRK signals associated with reduction of cyt f and P(700). The rates of proton pumping through the electron transfer chain and the CF(O)-CF(1) ATP synthase (ATPase) were estimated by measuring the DIRK signals associated with the electrochromic shifting of pigments in the light-harvesting complexes. Electron transfer fluxes were also estimated by analysis of saturation pulse-induced changes in chlorophyll a fluorescence yield. It was shown that the H(+)/e(-) ratio, with respect to both cyt b(6)f complex and photosystem (PS) II turnover, was constant under low to saturating illumination in intact tobacco leaves. Because a H(+)/e(-) ratio of 3 at a low light is generally accepted, we infer that this ratio is maintained under conditions of normal (unstressed) photosynthesis, implying a continuously engaged, proton-pumping Q cycle at the cyt b(6)f complex.

Evaluation of factors during OGTT to correlate insulin resistance in non-diabetic subjects

The correlation between various factors obtained during oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) and insulin sensitivity tests (steady state plasma glucose, SSPG method) were analyzed in non-diabetic subjects by Pearson's simple correlation. Similar data were obtained for normal as well as normal and impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) subjects. Three factors (AUCI(120)0AUCG(120)0, AUCI(120)0 and AUCI(120)60, area of under curve (AUC), insulin (I), glucose (G)) were found to have significant correlation (r=0.47-0.54) with SSPG, thus indicating insulin resistance. Those with hyperinsulinemia were noted to have insulin resistance with high precision (98%), but insulin resistant subjects without hyperinsulinemia were all judged to have normal sensitivity. These three factors all had high specificity (98%), but low sensitivity (21-25%) with false negative results being obtained in 75-78%, and false positive results in less than 2%. It was difficult to distinguish positive and negative for the insulin resistance by receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of I0G0. The sensitivity of which was 12.8% and specificity 93.8%. By ROC curve, the specificities and sensitivities for the proposed factors, including homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) product (I0G0, I0-120, G0-120, insulin and glucose at 0-120' during OGTT) ranged from 60 to 70%, which is far from an acceptable level of 90% or more. Therefore, these factors were useful to correlate insulin sensitivity with OGTT results in hyperinsulinemic subjects or in general non-diabetic subjects, but less useful when it came to identifying individual cases with insulin resistance. These parameters should be used only in non-diabetic subjects and their significance is thought to be restricted to cases with hyperinsulinemia.

Efficient, highly enantioselective synthesis of selina-1,3, 7(11)-trien-8-one, a major component of the essential oil of Eugenia uniflora

The first synthesis of selina-1,3,7(11)-trien-8-one (1), a major constituent of the essential oil from the leaves of Eugenia uniflora, has been accomplished, with excellent stereo- and regiocontrol, in eight steps and in 12% overall yield from the known octalone derivative 2a.

Formation of abasic sites in DNA by t-butyl peroxyl radicals: implication for potent genotoxicity of lipid peroxyl radicals

We investigated abasic site formation in calf thymus DNA after exposure to a model compound of lipid-derived peroxyl radical that was generated by the reaction of tert-butyl hydroperoxide (t-BuOOH) with hemoglobin. Abasic site density in DNA was quantified by use of an enzyme-linked immunosorvent assay-like assay. In the presence of 10 mM t-BuOOH and 12.5 or 25 microM hemoglobin, 0.6-1.0 abasic sites/10(4) nucleotides were formed. However, abasic sites were not detected after replacing hemoglobin with nonheme iron, e.g. EDTA/Fe(2+), which initiates the production of alkyl and alkoxyl radicals. Therefore, the present results suggest that lipid peroxyl radicals may have a genotoxic potential through unique reactions, including depurination and depyrimidination, which lead to DNA strand breakage.