The preoperative intraocular pressure level predicts the amount of underestimated intraocular pressure after LASIK for myopia

AIMS

To evaluate the statistical significance of the parameters that affect underestimation of intraocular pressure (IOP) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) for myopia.

METHODS

In this prospective case series study, patient age, axial length, preoperative corneal curvature, preoperative central corneal thickness (CCT), preoperative IOP, and ablation depth were studied to determine whether they affect the underestimation of IOP in the right eyes of 100 consecutive patients who underwent LASIK.

RESULTS

The preoperative IOP was the most important parameter for an amount of underestimated Goldmann applanation tonometric IOP (GAT) and non-contact tonometric IOP (ncIOP) at 1 month (r = 0.654, p<0.0001, R(2) = 0.427, and r = 0.694, p<0.0001, R(2) = 0.481, respectively) and 3 months (r = 0.637, p<0.0001, R(2) = 0.406, and r = 0.726, p<0.0001, R(2) = 0.527, respectively). Patient age was statistically significant for underestimating the GAT at 1 month, and both the ablation depth and CCT were statistically significant parameters for underestimating the ncIOP at 1 month and at 3 months by stepwise multiple regression analysis (F>4.000). However, these parameters had small bivariate correlation coefficients, and were considered as minor parameters.

CONCLUSION

Preoperative IOP is the most important parameter that affects an underestimation of IOP after LASIK for myopia. Eyes with a higher true IOP have a larger underestimation of the IOP after LASIK for myopia. From these results, the importance of the modulus of elasticity on IOP measurements was discussed.

Molecular cloning and expression of the gene encoding family 19 chitinase from Streptomyces sp. J-13-3

The gene encoding chitinase from Streptomyces sp. (strain J-13-3) was cloned and its nucleotide structure was analyzed. The chitinase consisted of 298 amino acids containing a signal peptides (29 amino acids) and a mature protein (269 amino acids), and had calculated molecular mass of 31,081 Da. The calculated molecular mass (28,229 Da) of the mature protein was almost same as that of the native chitinase determined by matrix-assisted laser desorption ionization time-of-flight mass spectrometer. Comparison of the encoded amino acid sequences with those of other chitinases showed that J-13-3 chitinase was a member of the glycosyl-hydrolase family 19 chitinases and the mature protein had a chitin binding domain (65 amino acids) containing AKWWTQ motif and a catalytic domain (204 amino acids). The J-13-3 strain had a single chitinase gene. The chitinase (298 amino acids) with C-terminal His tag was overexpressed in Escherichia coli BL21(DE3) cells. The recombinant chitinase purified from the cell extract had identical N-terminal amino acid sequence of the mature protein in spite of confirmation of the nucleotide sequence, suggesting that the signal peptide sequence is successfully cut off at the predicted site by signal peptidase from E. coli and will be a useful genetic tool in protein engineering for production of soluble recombinant protein. The optimum temperature and pH ranges of the purified chitinase were at 35-40 degrees C and 5.5-6.0, respectively. The purified chitinase hydrolyzed colloidal chitin and trimer to hexamer of N-acetylglucosamine and also inhibited the hyphal extension of Tricoderma reesei.

Two-hybrid search for proteins that interact with Sad1 and Kms1, two membrane-bound components of the spindle pole body in fission yeast

In interphase cells of fission yeast, the spindle pole body (SPB) is thought to be connected with chromosomal centromeres by an as yet unknown mechanism that spans the nuclear membrane. To elucidate this mechanism, we performed two-hybrid screens for proteins that interact with Kms1 and Sad1, which are constitutive membrane-bound components of the SPB that interact with each other. Seven and 26 genes were identified whose products potentially interact with Kms1 and Sad1, respectively. With the exception of Dlc1 (a homolog of the 14-kDa dynein light chain), all of the Kms1 interactors also interacted with Sad1. Among the genes identified were the previously known genes rhp9+ / crb2+, cut6+, ags1+ / mok1+, gst3+, kms2+, and sid4+. The products of kms2+ and sid4+ localize to the SPB. The novel genes were characterized by constructing disruption mutations and by localization of the gene products. Two of them, putative homologues of budding yeast UFE1 (which encodes a t-SNARE) and SFH1 (an essential component of a chromatin-remodeling complex), were essential for viability. Two further genes, which were only conditionally essential, genetically interact with sad1+. One of these was named sif1+ (for Sad1-interacting factor) and is required for proper septum formation at high temperature. Cells in which this gene was overexpressed displayed a wee -like phenotype. The product of the other gene, apm1+, is very similar to the medium chain of an adaptor protein complex in clathrin-coated vesicles. Apm1 appears to be required for SPB separation and spindle formation, and tended to accumulate at the SPB when it was overproduced. It was functionally distinct from its homologues Apm2 and Apm4. Other novel genes identified in this study included one for a nucleoporin and genes encoding novel membrane-bound proteins that were genetically related to Sad1. We found that none of the newly identified genes tested were necessary for centromere/telomere clustering.

A subchronic toxicity study of shea nut color in Wistar rats

Shea nut color, obtained from nuts of the shea tree (Butyrospermum parkii), is used as a food-coloring agent. Flavonoid pigments are considered to be the responsible constituents. As there have been no reports of toxicological evaluation, a 13-week subchronic toxicity study was performed in Wistar Hannover rats at dose levels of 0 (control), 0.07, 0.31, 1.25 and 5% in powdered basal diet. The average of daily shea nut color intake was 51.3, 226.1, 986.8 and 3775.5 mg/kg/day for males and 56.4, 272.9, 1166.7 and 4387.7 mg/kg/day for females, respectively. During the administration period, daily observation of clinical signs and weekly measurement of body weights and food consumption were performed. After the end of the treatment, hematology, serum biochemistry, organ weight and histopathological examinations were conducted. No significant toxicological changes were observed in any parameters in this study. Hence, the no adverse effect dose of shea nut color was estimated to be greater than 5.0% for both sexes (3775.5 mg/kg/day for males and 4387.7 mg/kg/day for females).

A new approach for the detection of multiple protein kinases using monoclonal antibodies directed to the highly conserved region of protein kinases

To explore the protein kinase family enzymes expressed in cells, we attempted to generate antibodies that could detect a wide variety of protein kinases. For the production of such antibodies, synthetic peptides corresponding to amino acid sequences of a highly conserved subdomain (subdomain VIB) of the protein kinase family were used for immunization. Among the various peptide antigens, a peptide with 16 amino acids, CVVHRDLKPENLLLAS, effectively produced polyclonal antibodies with broad cross-reactivities to protein kinases. Two monoclonal antibodies, designated M8C and M1C, detected a variety of protein kinases such as calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV, cAMP-dependent protein kinase, and mitogen-activated protein kinases, on Western blotting. The antibodies also immunoprecipitated various protein kinases in cell extracts. Furthermore, these antibodies could be used for detection of positive clones in the expression cloning of various protein kinases. Among 39 positive clones obtained from mouse brain cDNA library, 36 clones were identified as cDNA clones for various known and novel protein serine/threonine kinases, suggesting that the antibodies reacted highly specifically with various protein kinases. These results indicate that the present monoclonal antibodies directed to multiple protein kinases will be a powerful tool for the detection of a variety of known and novel protein kinases in cells.

In situ photoemission study of the room temperature ferromagnet ZnGeP2:Mn

The chemical states of the ZnGeP(2):Mn interface which shows ferromagnetism above room temperature have been studied by photoemission spectroscopy. Mn deposition on the ZnGeP2 substrate heated to 400 degrees C induced Mn substitution for Zn and then the formation of metallic Mn-Ge-P compounds. Depth profile studies have shown that Mn 3d electrons changed their character from itinerant to localized along the depth, and in the deep region, dilute divalent Mn species (<5% Mn) was observed with a coexisting metallic Fermi edge of non-Mn 3d character. The possibility of hole doping through Mn substitution for Ge and/or Zn vacancy is discussed.

Inhibitory effects of Helicobacter pylori infection on murine autoimmune gastritis

BACKGROUND AND AIM

Long term Helicobacter pylori infection leads to atrophic gastritis but the relation between H pylori infection and autoimmune related atrophic gastritis (AIG) remains unclear. We studied the effects of H pylori infection on the pathophysiology of AIG in mice.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

BALB/c nu/nu mice (n=40) with or without H pylori infection received splenocytes from neonatally thymectomised mice to induce AIG. Half of the mice were orally infected with H pylori prior to AIG induction. Histological findings, and local and systemic immune responses were serially evaluated.

RESULTS

Two and six months after transfer, parietal cells in uninfected mice were depleted while those in infected mice were well preserved. The degree of gland atrophy (p<0.01), hyperplasia (p<0.01), gastric pH (p<0.05), and serum gastrin levels of infected mice were significantly lower than those of uninfected mice. Serum antiparietal cell antibody levels gradually decreased in infected mice, and were significantly lower than those of uninfected mice at six months (p<0.05). Real time polymerase chain reaction studies revealed significantly higher interleukin 4 (p<0.05) and transforming growth factor beta (p<0.05) gene expression in the gastric mucosa in infected mice than in uninfected mice at both two and six months after AIG induction.

CONCLUSIONS

H pylori infection inhibited the development of AIG in mice. Th2-type immune responses and transforming growth factor beta in the gastric microenvironment might be involved in the inhibitory effects of H pylori infection on the development of AIG, in which Th1-type responses have an important role.

Regression of fundic gland polyps following acquisition of Helicobacter pylori

The prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection is very low in patients with fundic gland polyps (FGPs) of the stomach. We report here two cases with multiple FGPs that regressed following new H pylori acquisition. Patient Nos I and II had multiple FGPs in normal fundic mucosa without inflammatory changes or atrophy. Both were not infected with H pylori. Following acquisition of H pylori infection however, all FGPs in both patients completely disappeared except for one FGP in patient No I. Although the size of the remaining polyp in patient No I was greatly reduced after H pylori acquisition, it became enlarged again after eradication. Interestingly, in the remaining polyp, we found an activating beta-catenin gene mutation whereas no such mutations were detected in FGPs of patient No II. Thus H pylori infection may have an inhibitory effect on the development of FGPs.

Equine herpesvirus-1-induced encephalomyelitis in mice: a comparative study of neuroadapted virus and its parental strain

Little is known about the neuropathogenicity of equine herpesvirus-1 (EHV-1) in mice. No neurological signs were observed in 6-day-old mice inoculated intracerebrally with the HH1 strain (HH1) of EHV-1. However,6-day-old mice inoculated intracerebrally with a variant derived by serial passage of HH1 in mouse brain showed severe neurological symptoms and eventually died. Histological analyses were performed on 6-day-old mice inoculated with the neuroadapted HH1 (NHH1) and the parental HH1 strain by the intracerebral, intranasal or intraperitoneal route. All routes of inoculation with NHH1 caused encephalitis, but myelitis was observed only in mice inoculated intraperitoneally. Prominent histological findings were perivascular cuffing sometimes associated with small fibrin thrombi, neuronal and glial degeneration and necrosis, and intranuclear inclusion bodies in neurons, glial cells and ependymal cells. Intracerebral and intranasal inoculation, but not intraperitoneal inoculation, with HH1 induced central nervous system (CNS) lesions that were milder than those in mice inoculated with NHH1. The distribution of viral antigen was more widespread in mice inoculated with NHH1 than with HH1. No viral antigen was detected in the CNS of mice inoculated intraperitoneally with HH1. These results indicate that increased viral multiplication and spreading in the CNS were responsible for the enhanced neurovirulence of NHH1. Although EHV-1 has been considered to be primarily endotheliotropic in horses, both NHH1 and HH1 showed tropism for the parenchymal cells of the CNS in mice, namely neurons, glial cells and ependymal cells.

Autoimmune related pancreatitis

Since the first documented case of a particular form of pancreatitis with hypergammaglobulinaemia, similar cases have been reported, leading to the concept of an autoimmune related pancreatitis or so-called "autoimmune pancreatitis". Although it has not yet been widely accepted as a new clinical entity, the present article discusses the recent concept of autoimmune pancreatitis.

Autoimmune related pancreatitis

Since the first documented case of a particular form of pancreatitis with hypergammaglobulinaemia, similar cases have been reported, leading to the concept of an autoimmune related pancreatitis or so-called "autoimmune pancreatitis". Although it has not yet been widely accepted as a new clinical entity, the present article discusses the recent concept of autoimmune pancreatitis.

The possible involvement of micro-organisms other than Helicobacter pylori in the development of rectal MALT lymphoma in H. pylori-negative patients

It remains unclear whether lymphoma of the mucosa-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) in the extragastric organs is related to Helicobacter pylori infection or not. This report describes three patients with rectal MALT lymphoma negative for H. pylori infection, all of whom showed disease regression after being treated with antibiotics. One patient had MALT lymphoma in both the descending colon and the rectum; the other two patients had rectal disease only. None of the patients had chronic gastritis which was detectable either endoscopically or histologically and H. pylori infection was completely ruled out by various methods, including a urease breath test. These patients received antibiotic therapy. In all the patients, regression of MALT lymphoma was observed endoscopically and histologically, and polymerase chain reaction revealed that a previously observed rearranged band of immunoglobulin heavy chain had also disappeared after antibiotic treatment. These cases therefore suggest involvement of micro-organisms other than H. pylori in the development of rectal MALT lymphoma.

Possible antitumor promoters in Spinacia oleracea (spinach) and comparison of their contents among cultivars

Spinach leaves were found to contain two potent antitumor promoters as detected by the activity against tumor promoter-induced Epstein-Barr virus activation. The active components were identified as 1-O-alpha-linolenoyl-2-O-(7Z,10Z,13Z)-hexadecatrienoyl-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol and 1,2-di-O-alpha-linolenoyl-3-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-sn-glycerol by spectroscopic data and some chemical and enzymatic reactions. Their contents significantly varied with the cultivar and with the culture conditions.

Fibroblasts from the inner granulation tissue of the pseudocapsule in hips at revision arthroplasty induce osteoclast differentiation, as do stromal cells

BACKGROUND

It has previously been shown that many osteoclast precursors are included in the granulation tissue within the pseudocapsule obtained at revision arthroplasty from hips with osteolysis. In vitro culture of only cells isolated from the granulation tissue has been previously shown to generate many mature osteoclasts.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the presence or otherwise of supporting cells, similar to stromal cells, which differentiate osteoclasts within the granulation tissue.

METHODS

Cells isolated from the granulation tissue were cultured alone, and after four weeks fibroblast-like cells (granulation fibroblasts) remained. Rat non-adherent bone marrow cells (NA-BMCs) were co-cultured with the granulation fibroblasts with or without 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 (10(-8) M) or heat treated ROS 17/2.8 cell conditioned medium (ht ROSCM), or both. Multinucleated cells (MNCs), which formed, were assessed by biochemical and functional characterisation of osteoclasts. Receptor activator of NFkappaB ligand (RANKL) was investigated by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Co-culture of NA-BMCs and granulation fibroblasts caused the formation of tartrate resistant acid phosphatase (TRAP) positive MNCs, which had the calcitonin receptor (CTR), the Kat-1 antigen, which is specific to the surface of rat osteoclasts, and the ability to form pits in the presence of both 1alpha,25(OH)2D3 and ht ROSCM or in the presence of just ht ROSCM. RANKL was detected in fibroblast-like cells in the granulation tissue.

CONCLUSION

These data suggest that granulation fibroblasts support osteoclast differentiation, as do osteoblasts/stromal cells, and may play a part in aseptic loosening.

Oxindole derivatives as orally active potent growth hormone secretagogues

A series of substituted oxindole derivatives was synthesized and evaluated for growth hormone (GH) releasing activity using cultured rat pituitary cells. (+)-6-Carbamoyl-3-(2-chlorophenyl)-(2-diethylaminoethyl)-4-trifluoromethyloxindole (SM-130686, 37S) was found to have potent activity (EC(50) = 3.0 nM), while the other enantiomer 37R had reduced activity. The absolute configuration of 37S was confirmed by X-ray crystallographic analysis. Compound 37S showed a good pharmacokinetic profile in rats with 28% oral bioavailability at 10 mg/kg and excellent in vivo activity as evidenced by a significant weight gain after 4 days of oral administration at 10 mg/kg twice a day. Compound 37S displaced the binding of (35)S-MK-677 to human GHS-R with an IC(50) value of 1.2 +/- 0.2 nM.

[Problems regarding palliative home care for end-stage cancer patients after the enforcement of the care insurance system]

Since in a home care nurse station the arrangement of personnel is planned to carry out patient's home care in accordance with the individual patient's Care Plan, to provide palliative home care to end-stage cancer patients who frequently require extraordinary visits, it is necessary to employ full-time nurses. On the other hand, to make ends meet there must be at least two full-time nurses for every seven end-stage cancer patients in a home care nurse station monthly. However, a home care nurse station taking care of seven end-stage cancer home patients monthly is very rare. According to these circumstances only several special home care nurse stations are able to provide palliative home care to end-stage cancer patient; thus, palliative home care for such patients is generally provided by hospital or doctor's office staff members. Therefore, if the authorities concerned intend to accelerate to care the end-stage cancer patient at home, several additional charges which are able to be claimed in ordinary home care nurse station must be able to be claimed in hospital or doctor's office in the same way.

Clinical usefulness of measuring pulse wave velocity in predicting cerebrovascular disease: evaluation from a cross-Sectional and longitudinal follow-up study

The present study was designed both as a cross-sectional and longitudinal follow-up study to evaluate the association between pulse wave velocity (PWV) and cardiovascular disease. The subjects in this study included a total 260 patients (134 men and 126 women) ranging from 25 to 91 years (mean, 67.6+/-11.0 years). Carotid to femoral PWV was measured in all patients. The subsequent development of a cerebrovascular or coronary event was defined as a cardiovascular event. The longitudinal follow-up study was conducted with the occurrence of a cardiovascular event as the endpoint. The patients were classified into two groups: an L group with a PWV of less than 10 m/sec and an H group with a PWV of 10 m/sec or higher. Cross-sectional study at baseline: The H group patients were significantly older than the L group patients. The prevalence of hypertension, cardiovascular disease, ischemic heart disease, and cerebrovascular disease were significantly higher in the H group. Systolic blood pressure and serum uric acid were significantly higher in the H group than in the L group. However, there were no significant differences between the two groups with respect to other risk factors. Multivariate analysis using the prevalence of cardiovascular disease as the dependent variable showed "age" and "H group" to be independent variables. When the prevalence of ischemic heart disease or cerebrovascular disease was used as dependent variable, only "age" was an independent variable. Longitudinal follow-up study: The prevalence of cardiovascular event and cerebrovascular event were significantly higher in the H group than in the L group. The prevalence of coronary event in the H group tended to be higher than in the L group, but the difference was not statistically significant. Multivariate analysis using the cardiovascular event rate or coronary event rate as the dependent variable showed only "age" to be an independent variable. When the cerebrovascular event rate was used as the dependent variable, "uric acid" and "H group" were independent variables. The results of this study suggest a higher rate of cerebrovascular disease in patients with high PWV.

Clinical usefulness of the common carotid artery blood flow velocity ratio as measured by an ultrasonic quantitative flow measurement system: evaluation with respect to prevalence of ischemic heart disease

The present study evaluated the clinical usefulness of the measurement of common carotid artery blood flow velocity by an ultrasonic quantitative flow measurement system (QFM), and its correlation with the prevalence of ischemic heart disease (IHD). The subjects in this study included 287 patients (149 men and 138 women; mean age, 67.6+/-11.0 years) being treated as outpatients. Bilateral common carotid artery blood flow velocity was measured using a QFM-1100 (Hayashi Denki Co., Ltd.). The "high to low velocity ratio" (H/L ratio) was calculated by dividing the higher value by the lower value of the velocity of the common carotid artery. In 43 of 287 patients, we used an SSA-270 ACE (Toshiba Co., Ltd) to determine the presence of plaque and measure intimal-medial thickness (IMT) in the common carotid arteries. The mean H/L ratio was 1.45, with a median value of 1.25. The patients were stratified into subgroups based on H/L ratios from 1.0 and above in 0.1 increments in order to compare the prevalence rates of IHD. The prevalence rates in groups with H/L ratios of 1.3 and greater were significantly higher than those in the group with H/L ratios less than 1.3. In logistic regression analysis, the unadjusted H/L ratio was an independent risk factor for IHD at ratios from greater than 1.1 to greater than 1.6. The age-adjusted H/L ratio was an independent risk factor for IHD at ratios from greater than 1.1 to greater than 1.4. IMT was significantly higher in patients with a H/L ratio of 1.4 or greater versus patients with a ratio less than 1.4 (1.154+/-0.417 mm vs. 0.421+/-0.425 mm; p<0.05). The prevalence of carotid artery plaque was also significantly higher in patients with a H/L ratio of 1.4 or greater versus patients with a ratio of less than 1.4 (76.5% vs. 38.5%; p<0.03). Therefore, determination of the carotid artery H/L ratio by means of QFM may be clinically useful in screening patients for coronary artery lesions.

Rectal immunization with antigen-containing microspheres induces stronger Th2 responses than oral immunization: a new method for vaccination

The rectum as an effective site for induction of systemic and local immunity has received little attention. Rectal immunization with microspheres-containing ovalbumin (MS-OVA) was tested for its ability to elicit systemic and mucosal immune responses. Rectal immunization with MS-OVA enhanced both Th2 dominant OVA-specific IgG levels in the serum and OVA-specific IgA levels in fecal extracts more prominently than did oral immunization. Cytokine analysis of CD4(+) T cells indicated a predominant induction of Th2-type responses compared to Th1-type responses following rectal immunization compared to oral immunization. These results demonstrate that rectal immunization with microspheres could be an effective new vaccination method.