Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber and RYR1 mutation

BACKGROUND

Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber (CNMDU1) is a rare form of congenital myopathy, which is pathologically diagnosed by the presence of more than 99% of type 1 fiber, with no specific structural changes. Its pathogenic mechanism is still unknown. We recently reported that almost all patients with central core disease (CCD) with ryanodine receptor 1 gene (RYR1) mutations in the C-terminal domain had type 1 fibers, nearly exclusively, in addition to typical central cores.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate whether CNMDU1 is associated with RYR1 mutation.

METHODS

We studied 10 unrelated Japanese patients who were diagnosed to have CNMDU1 based on clinical features and muscle pathology showing more than 99% type 1 muscle fibers. We extracted genomic DNA from frozen muscles and directly sequenced all 106 exons and their flanking intron-exon boundaries of RYR1.

RESULTS

Four of 10 patients had a heterozygous mutation, three missense and one deletion, all in the C-terminal domain of RYR1. Two missense mutations were previously reported in CCD patients. Clinically, patients with mutations in RYR1 showed milder phenotype compared with those without mutations.

CONCLUSION

Congenital neuromuscular disease with uniform type 1 fiber (CNMDU1) in 40% of patients is associated with mutations in the C-terminal domain of RYR1, suggesting that CNMDU1 is allelic to central core disease at least in some patients.

Role of Src-family kinases in formation and trafficking of macropinosomes

Src-family kinases that localize to the cytoplasmic side of cellular membranes through lipid modification play a role in signaling events including membrane trafficking. Macropinocytosis is an endocytic process for solute uptake by large vesicles called macropinosomes. Although macropinosomes can be visualized following uptake of fluorescent macromolecules, little is known about the dynamics of macropinosomes in living cells. Here, we show that constitutive c-Src expression generates macropinosomes in a kinase-dependent manner. Live-cell imaging of GFP-tagged c-Src (Src-GFP) reveals that c-Src associates with macropinosomes via its N-terminus continuously from their generation at membrane ruffles, through their centripetal trafficking, to fusion with late endosomes and lysosomes. Fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) of Src-GFP shows that Src-GFP is rapidly recruited to macropinosomal membranes from the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles through vesicle transport even in the presence of a protein synthesis inhibitor. Furthermore, using a HeLa cell line overexpressing inducible c-Src, we show that following stimulation with epidermal growth factor (EGF), high levels of c-Src kinase activity promote formation of macropinosomes associated with the lysosomal compartment. Unlike c-Src, Lyn and Fyn, which are palmitoylated Src kinases, only minimally induce macropinosomes, although a Lyn mutant in which the palmitoylation site is mutated efficiently induces macropinocytosis. We conclude that kinase activity of nonpalmitoylated Src kinases including c-Src may play an important role in the biogenesis and trafficking of macropinosomes.

Purification of liver serine protease which activates microsomal glutathione S-transferase: possible involvement of hepsin

Rat liver microsomal glutathione S-transferase (MGST1) is known to be activated by trypsin, however, it has not been clarified whether MGST1 is activated by a protease present in liver. In the present study we purified the MGST1 activating protease from liver microsomes and finally identified that the protease is hepsin, a type II transmembrane serine protease. When the protease was incubated with the purified MGST1 or liposomal MGST1 at 4 degrees C, MGST1 activity was increased 3-4.5 fold after 3-6 d. In electrophoretic and immunoblot analyses after the incubation of MGST1 with the protease MGST1 dimer and its degraded fragment were detected. These results suggest that the rat liver microsomal hepsin functions as MGST1 activating/degrading enzyme.

Lipopolysaccharide inhibits luteinizing hormone release through interaction with opioid and excitatory amino acid inputs to gonadotropin-releasing hormone neurones in female rats: possible evidence for a common mechanism involved in infection and immobilization stress

Acute immobilization stress suppresses naloxone- and N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA)-induced, but not gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH)-induced, luteinizing hormone (LH) release in ovariectomized oestrogen-primed rats. To explore whether a common mechanism may underlie inhibition of gonadotropin secretion by various stressors, we examined in the present study the effect of lipopolysaccharide (LPS) on LH release induced by progesterone, GnRH, naloxone and NMDA. The effect of LPS on Fos expression in GnRH neurones was also examined in association with its effect on steroid-induced LH release. Injection of progesterone (1 mg/rat) at noon induced an LH surge in the afternoon in ovariectomized rats pretreated with oestradiol benzoate. In these rats, the majority of hypothalamic GnRH neurones expressed Fos in the evening. Intravenous (i.v.) administration of LPS (10 micro g/rat) inhibited steroid-induced LH release and also reduced the Fos expression in GnRH neurones. In separate experiments, an i.v. injection of GnRH (50 ng/kg), naloxone (10 mg/kg) or NMDA (20 mg/kg) significantly elevated serum LH concentrations within 10 min. Pretreatment with LPS, which did not affect basal LH release or GnRH-induced LH release, inhibited naloxone-induced and NMDA-induced LH release. These results show that LPS has a suprapituitary site(s) of action to suppress the activity of GnRH neurones in female rats, and suggest that LPS affects the opioid, as well as the excitatory amino acidergic regulation of GnRH neurones. The similarity of effects of LPS and immobilization stress further suggests that a common mechanism is involved in inhibition of GnRH neurones by different stressors.

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in rat lung alveolar epithelial cells. An ultrastructural enzyme-cytochemical study

Glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) is the key enzyme of the pentose phosphate pathway in carbohydrate metabolism, and it plays an important role in cell proliferation and antioxidant regulation within cells in various organs. Although marked cell proliferation and oxidant/antioxidant metabolism occur in lung alveolar epithelial cells, definite data has been lacking as to whether cytochemically detectable G6PD is present in alveolar epithelial cells. The distribution pattern of G6PD within these cells, if it is present, is also unknown. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the subcellular localization of G6PD in alveolar cells in the rat lung using a newly-developed enzyme-cytochemistry (copper-ferrocyanide) method. Type I cells and stromal endothelia and fibroblasts showed no activities. Electron-dense precipitates indicating G6PD activity were clearly visible in the cytoplasm and on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum of type II alveolar epithelial cells. The cytochemical controls ensured specific detection of enzyme activity. This enzyme may play a role in airway defense by delivering substances for cell proliferation and antioxidant forces, thus maintaining the airway architecture.

Stimulatory effect of prostaglandin F(2alpha) on Na-dependent phosphate transport in osteoblast-like cells

Prostaglandin F(2alpha) (PGF(2alpha)) has been reported to activate protein kinase C (PKC) through both phospholipase (PL) C and D, resulting in the proliferation of osteoblast-like cells. In addition, it has also been reported that Erk mitogen-activated protein kinase is also involved in the mechanism of PGF(2alpha)-induced proliferation of these cells. Recently, we have reported that several growth factors stimulate Na-dependent phosphate transport (Pi transport) activity of osteoblast-like cells, which has been recognized to play an important role in their mineralization. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PGF(2alpha) on Pi transport in MC3T3-E1 osteoblast-like cells. PGF(2alpha) stimulated Na-dependent Pi transport dose dependently in the range between 1nM and 10 micro M in MC3T3-E1 cells. The effect was time dependent up to 24h. Kinetic analysis revealed that PGF(2alpha) induces newly synthesized Pi transporter. Pretreatment with actinomycin D and cycloheximide suppressed PGF(2alpha)-induced enhancement of Pi transport. Combined effect of PMA and PGF(2alpha) was not additive in Pi transport. Calphostin C, a PKC inhibitor, dose-dependently suppressed Pi transport induced by PGF(2alpha). On the contrary, U0126, which inhibits an upstream kinase of Erk (MEK), did not affect PGF(2alpha)-induced enhancement of Pi transport. In conclusion, PGF(2alpha) stimulates Pi transport through activation of PKC in osteoblast-like cells.

[A study on the influence of daily life habits on people's health symptoms]

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to understand the relation between daily life habits and subjective symptoms and to gather basic data about improvement of the quality of life and its influence on a person's health.

METHOD

The subjects were middle-aged (including all residents, males and female, all between the ages of 20 and 59. n = 2,520) in an agricultural village near a large urban center on the main island of Japan. A total of 1,834 villagers who responded to the survey in 1995 could be followed until 1998. The contents of the questionnaire covered age, sex, past history, daily life habits, mental condition, and activities of daily living. Using the method chi 2 verification and multiplex logistic analysis the village residents daily life habits their relation with subjective symptoms after 3 years were investigated.

RESULTS

According to the analysis focusing on factors which had effects on subjective symptoms, the odds ratio were as follow: people who often skip breakfast-shortness of breath: 3.37 people who often eat between meals-toothache: 2.06 smokers-headache: 0.39, nausea: 18.89, urination problem: 0.03 people with insufficient sleep-eye fatigue: 1.76, diarrhea: 4.07 people with a BMI value less then 18.5-dizziness: 1.82 The results showed a significant relationship between people's daily life habits and their health condition. (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

From the results of this study, we can clearly see the tendency to minimize the subjective symptoms by desirable daily habits and that there is a possibility to prevent some of the through even slight improvement of habits. The study also indicates that it is necessary to stimulation a more diverse life style to maintain good health.

Hofbauer cell activation and its increased glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase activity in second trimester-spontaneous abortion: an ultrastructural dual staining enzyme-cytochemical study

PROBLEM

While activated/phagocytosing phagocytes infiltrating to the chorioamnion are considered to be one of the causal agents of preterm labor onset, whether placental villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells) are activated/phagocytosing in this condition is not known.

METHOD OF STUDY

We concomitantly localized two important phagocytosis-related enzymes, acid phosphatase (ACP) and glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD), in Hofbauer cells in second trimester placental villi, and compared them with those from infection-related second trimester-spontaneous abortion (miscarriage) placentas.

RESULTS

There were two types of Hofbauer cells. The first cells exhibited ACP stainings confined to the lysosomes, suggesting that they are dormant/non-activated cells. Approximately two-thirds of these cells showed weak G6PD labeling on the cytosolic side of endoplasmic reticula, and G6PD labeling was hardly recognizable in the remaining one-third. The second cells, possessing large phagosomes, showed marked ACP labeling in the phagosomes, suggesting that they are activated/phagocytosing cells. All these cells exhibited G6PD labeling, and in 'bursting cells' (possibly hyperactivated cells) G6PD deposits were marked. The percentage of activated cells in miscarriage placentas was significantly higher (44.8 +/- 6.0%) than that in gestational age-matched controls (17.4 +/- 5.3%).

CONCLUSIONS

These observations indicated that (1) G6PD activity increased in activated/phagocytosing Hofbauer cells, and (2) the percentage of phagocytosing cells increased in infection-related miscarriage placentas. Hofbauer activation and G6PD may play an role in the pathogenesis/pathophysiology of preterm labor onset.

Alum Augments the Experimental Allergenicity of Kunitz-Type Soybean Trypsin Inhibitor Independent of the Antigen-Adsorption

In order to inspect the significance of the adsorbing property in the adjuvant activity to enhance IgE production, we immunized BALB/c mice against Kunitz-type soybean trypsin inhibitor (KSTI), the most potent experimental allergen among soybean proteins, associated with Aluminum hydroxide (alum) or DEAE-Sephadex particles. The production of immunoglobulin isotypes was analyzed at the various amounts, 3-3,000 microg per mouse, of the antigen dosages. In our experiments, although alum did not adsorb KSTI significantly, it augmented the total and the antigen-specific IgE without affecting the optimal range of the antigen dosage. On the other hand, alum did not effectively enhance the production of the other immunoglobulin isotypes. The production of immunoglobulin isotypes other than IgE increased dose-dependently on the antigen. These results ensured our previous finding that another protein, ovalbumin, was used as the antigen. We also demonstrated that the adsorption of KSTI by DEAE-Sephadex in the immunizing vehicle resulted in the requirement of more KSTI for accomplishing the equal immunity in BALB/c mice compared to the control. Moreover, we demonstrated that, regardless of the inability to adsorb KSTI, alum exerted its adjuvant activity only when it was co-injected with the antigen. These results showed that some biochemical effect, other than adsorptive activity, to enhance the production of the antigen-specific IgE resides in alum.

Umbilical cord pseudocyst in a fetus with trisomy 18

An umbilical cord pseudocyst was detected in the 28th week of gestation in a fetus complicated with growth restriction and polyhydramnios. The combination of cord pseudocysts, growth restriction, and polyhydramnios prompted us to perform a detailed ultrasonographic examination (gray scale and three-dimensional), which revealed the presence of micrognathia, overlapping fingers, and congenital heart defects, features characteristic of trisomy 18. Karyotyping confirmed a diagnosis of trisomy 18. After spontaneous labor onset, the infant was delivered at 31 weeks of gestation, and died soon after delivery. An umbilical cord pseudocyst is a good marker for the prenatal detection of trisomy 18.

Modulation of human c-mpl gene expression by thrombopoietin through protein kinase C

The c-Mpl, thrombopoietin (TPO) receptor specificially controls megakaryocytic growth and differentiation. TPO increased the c-mpl promoter activity determined by a transient expression system using a vector containing the luciferase gene as a reporter in the human megakaryoblastic cell line CMK. The maximal promoter activity of c-mpl was obtained 24 hr after pretreatment with TPO for 3 hr and then declined with time. This increase was completely abolished by protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors (GF109203, calphostin C and H7). Phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) treatment led to an increase in c-mpl promoter activity. These results demonstrate that the promoter activity of c-mpl is modulated by transcription through a PKC-dependent pathway.

Asymmetric autocatalysis and the origin of chiral homogeneity in organic compounds

The discovery and development of asymmetric autocatalysis, in which the structures of the chiral catalyst and the chiral product are the same, are described. Chiral 5-pyrimidyl, 3-quinolyl, and 5-carbamoyl-3-pyridyl alkanols act as highly enantioselective asymmetric autocatalysts in the enantioselective addition of diisopropylzinc to the corresponding aldehydes, such as pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde. 2-Alkynyl-5-pyrimidyl alkanol with an enantiomeric excess (ee) of >99.5% automultiplies practically perfectly as an asymmetric autocatalyst in a yield of >99% and >99.5% ee. Asymmetric autocatalysis with an amplification of ee has thus been realized. Consecutive asymmetric autocatalysis starting with chiral 2-alkynylpyrimidyl alkanol of only 0.6% ee amplifies its ee significantly, and yields itself as the product with >99.5% ee. The reaction of pyrimidine-5-carbaldehyde and diisopropylzinc in the presence of chiral initiators with low ee's, such as secondary alcohol, amine, carboxylic acid, mono-substituted [2.2]paracyclophane, and chiral primary alcohols due to deuterium substitution, regulates the absolute configuration of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanols, and the ee of the resulting pyrimidyl alkanol is much higher than that of the chiral initiator. Leucine and [6]helicene with very low ee's, which are known to be induced by circularly polarized light (CPL), also serve as chiral initiators to produce pyrimidyl alkanol with higher ee's. Overall, the process represents the first correlation between the chirality of CPL and an organic compound with very high ee. Chiral inorganic crystals, such as quartz and sodium chlorate, act as chiral inducers in the asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol. The process correlates for the first time ever the chirality of inorganic crystals with an organic compound with very high ee.

Effect of labor on maternal dehydration, starvation, coagulation, and fibrinolysis

BACKGROUND

Dehydration, starvation, and enhanced blood coagulability may occur during labor.

METHODS

We studied 60 women who gave birth vaginally to a healthy singleton infant at term. Sampling of urine and blood specimens was performed on admission to the hospital with labor pains and just after birth. Paired samples were available from 50 women for urine analysis and 29 women for blood analysis. Total fluid intake (oral and intravenous) during labor was recorded. Changes in various parameters in the urine and blood in relation to the total fluid intake were analyzed.

RESULTS

Osmolality and creatinine concentration in the urine, red blood cell count, hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit value, thrombin-antithrombin III complex, plasmin-alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor complex and D dimer significantly increased during labor. Ketone bodies were absent in the urine in 84% (42/50) of women on admission to the hospital whereas these were present in 74% (37/50) of women just after delivery (p < 0.01). The degree of these changes appeared to be smaller with an increase in fluid intake.

CONCLUSION

Concentrated urine, hemoconcentration, starvation, and activation of the thrombogenic and fibrinolytic system occur in parturient women. Sufficient fluid intake during labor may ameliorate these unfavorable changes.

Chorion laeve trophoblasts of preeclamptic fetal membranes: histochemically detectable enzyme activities do not change at a subcellular level

We examined the subcellular localization of ADP-degrading activity and cytochrome c oxidase (CCO) activity in chorion laeve trophoblasts from term and near term human fetal membranes, and compared them with those from severe preeclamptic fetal membranes. The methods used for the detection of enzyme activities were the lead nitrate method for ADP-degrading activity and the diaminobenzidine method for CCO. Precipitates indicative of ADP-degrading activity were visible on surface microvillous plasma membranes of chorion laeve trophoblasts both from normal and preeclamptic fetal membranes. The intensity and distribution patterns were the same in the normal and preeclamptic subjects. CCO labeling was visible in almost all laeve trophoblastic mitochondria both in normal and preeclamptic cases. Previously, we demonstrated that in preeclamptic villous trophoblasts there were decreases in ADP-degrading activity and the presence of CCO-negative mitochondria, which were proposed to lead to dysfunction of each villous trophoblast, and finally to placental insufficiency in preeclampsia. Reductions or changes in enzyme intensities/distribution patterns, which are characteristic features of preeclamptic villous trophoblasts, were absent in chorion laeve trophoblasts in preeclampsia. These results suggest that in preeclampsia there are no, or at least less severe, abnormalities in the enzyme activities of chorion laeve trophoblasts, compared with villous trophoblasts, as far as enzyme-histochemically detectable enzymes are concerned.

Intrauterine death of one twin, with rescue of the other, in twin-twin transfusion syndrome

Single intrauterine death may occur in twin-twin transfusion syndrome. We investigated why the outcome of the surviving twin is fairly good when the donor twin dies first compared with when the recipient twin dies first. A detailed hemodynamic study was performed using Doppler ultrasound in a twin pregnancy affected by twin-twin transfusion syndrome before and after a single intrauterine death that occurred in the donor twin at 26 weeks' gestation. The recipient twin was expected to die due to severe right cardiac failure with functional stenosis of the pulmonary artery 2 days before the cotwin's death. The donor twin's death caused a prompt resolution of cardiac failure and improvement in other indices, including flow velocity waveform patterns of the umbilical vein, the middle cerebral artery and the ductus venosus. A healthy, premature female neonate weighing 1630 g with a hemoglobin concentration of 17.8 g/dL was delivered by Cesarean section following rupture of the fetal membranes 28 days after the episode. Hemorrhaging from the surviving twin to the dead twin that occurred just before or after the cotwin's death may have contributed to the decrease in volume overload in the recipient twin, leading to a prompt amelioration of the critical hemodynamic indices. The early death of the donor twin may thus have played a significant role in improving the status of the recipient twin in this case of twin-twin transfusion syndrome.

Problems with peritoneal cytology in second-look laparotomy performed in patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma

BACKGROUND

The recurrence rate of ovarian carcinoma is high even when a second-look laparotomy (SLL) is negative. In the current study, the accuracy of peritoneal cytology as an evaluation method of SLL was examined.

METHODS

The positive SLL rate and the diagnostic accuracy of peritoneal cytology were evaluated in 101 patients with epithelial ovarian carcinoma.

RESULTS

Twenty-three of the 101 patients (23%) were positive based on SLL. The factors considered to be high risk factors for a positive SLL were advanced disease (Stages III and IV by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics [FIGO] classification), serous adenocarcinoma, and maximum residual tumor > 2 cm after primary surgery (P < 0.05). Of the 23 patients found to be positive on SLL, peritoneal cytology was positive in 6 patients, in whom the percentage was low (26%). The remaining 17 patients (74%) demonstrated false-negative cytology. Of these 17 patients, the tumor tissues were found to be capsulated completely with connective tissues in all biopsy specimens from 9 patients (53%) and in all but 1 biopsy specimen in 6 patients (35%), together accounting for a capsulation rate of 88%. Conversely, clear exposure of the tumor tissues was observed in at least two biopsy specimens in those patients demonstrating positive cytology (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONS

Peritoneal cytology in SLL was found to result in a high false-negative rate. One of the reasons for this was considered to be capsulation of the lesions with proliferated connective tissues, which may have been the result of by chemotherapy.

Liver dysfunction in late pregnancy: cytomegalovirus-induced hepatitis or the HELLP syndrome?

A 27-year-old primiparous preeclamptic woman developed a skin rash in late pregnancy and was persistently febrile for 10 days after giving birth. Blood tests suggested that she developed the HELLP syndrome and had concomitant cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection. Hemolysis, slightly impaired liver function, and thrombocytopenia were explainable by either only the CMV infection or only the HELLP syndrome. A literature review of a limited number of such cases and our case suggests that laboratory data in patients with CMV infection can mimic those of the HELLP syndrome. Thus, it may be important to consider CMV infection as a possible cause of abnormal laboratory data similar to the HELLP syndrome.

Ultrastructure of collagen fibers and distribution of extracellular matrix in the temporomandibular disk of the human fetus and adult

We quantitatively examined the distribution of these differences in extracellular matrices (collagen types I, III, and fibronectin) and elastic fibers under confocal laser scanning microscopy and electron scanning microscopy in terms of their contribution to the mechanics of the TMJ during development and in adults. Elastic fibers were found in the anterior and posterior bands in adults aged 40 years, and a few elastic fibers in the anterior band of the disk in adults aged 80 to 90 years. The extracellular matrix contents of the TMJ disk are shown in various detected levels in the anterior, intermediate, posterior bands of TMJ disk. During development, collagen fibers are arranged in a complex fashion from 28 weeks' gestation. These ultrastructures of the embryonic TMJ are resembled to that of adults aged the 40s, however the difference in extracellular matrix distribution found in embryonic stages and adults. They might reflect the differences in function between mastication and sucking or the changes in shape and form as results of functional disorders of the TMJ.

Asymmetric synthesis with a chiral catalyst generated from asymmetric autocatalysis

A new and efficient one-pot system of asymmetric catalysis is presented in which a chiral catalyst (5-pyrimidyl alkanol) self-improves its ee by asymmetric autocatalysis and then acts as a highly enantioselective chiral catalyst for other asymmetric synthesis (addition of dialkylzincs to aldehydes) to provide products (sec-alcohols) with very high ee (up to 99%).[reaction: see text]

Enzyme-cytochemically detectable glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase in human villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells)

Though various tissue macrophages possess high glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) activity, which plays an important role in their phagocytosis/bactericidal function, the presence of this enzyme in human placental villous macrophages (Hofbauer cells) has not been determined. We examined the ultrastructural localization of glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) in Hofbauer cells in first and second trimester placental villi, using a newly developed enzyme-cytochemistry (copper-ferrocyanide) method. Electron-dense deposits indicative of G6PD activity were clearly visible in the cytoplasm and on the cytosolic side of the endoplasmic reticulum of Hofbauer cells. Positive and negative cytochemical controls ensured specific detection of enzyme activity. These observations indicated that Hofbauer cells abundantly possessed enzyme-cytochemically detectable G6PD activity. Hofbauer cell G6PD may play a role in placental defense, by supplying NADPH-dependent enzymes (i.e. nitric oxide synthase or NADPH oxidase) with NADPH. This enzyme may also fuel Hofbauer cells with ribose 5-phosphate during their cell proliferation and cell division.

Application of asymmetric autocatalysis to the determination of absolute configurations of amino acids with low enantiomeric excesses

A method is proposed for the determination of the absolute configuration of amino acids with low enantiomeric excesses by using asymmetric autocatalysis of pyrimidyl alkanol with amplification of enantiomeric excess.