Steroidal saponins from Hemerocallis fulva var. kwanso

Two steroidal saponins, hemeroside A and B, were isolated from the aerial part of Hemerocallis fulva var. kwanso for the first time. The structures of these compounds were established as 24S-hydroxy-neotokorogenin 1-O-alpha-L-arabinopyranosyl 24-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (1) and isorhodeasapogenin 3-O-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->3)-[beta-D-xylopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->4)-beta-D-galactopyranoside (2) through NMR experiments.

Effects of near-infrared low-level laser irradiation on microcirculation

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Recently, there has been an increase in the clinical application of low-level laser irradiation (LLLI) in various fields. The present study was conducted to explore the effects of LLLI on microcirculation.

STUDY DESIGN/MATERIAL AND METHODS

We investigated the effects of LLLI on rat mesenteric microcirculation in vivo, and on cytosolic calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i) in rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) in vitro.

RESULTS

LLLI caused potent dilation in the laser-irradiated arteriole, which led to marked increases in the arteriolar blood flow. The changes were partly attenuated in the initial phase by the superfusion of 15 microM L-NAME, but they were not affected by local denervation. Furthermore, LLLI caused a power-dependent decrease in [Ca2+]i in VSMCs.

CONCLUSION

The circulatory changes observed seemed to be mediated largely by LLLI-induced reduction of [Ca2+]i in VSMCs, in addition to the involvement of NO in the initial phase.

Anomalous temperature dependence of the magnetic field induced antiferromagnetic moment in the antiferroquadrupolar ordered state of CeB6

The magnetic field induced antiferromagnetic moment M(AF) at low magnetic fields in the antiferroquadrupolar (AFQ) ordered phase of CeB6 was investigated by elastic neutron diffraction experiments for H parallel [110]. The peak intensity at the AF magnetic reciprocal point (1 / 2,1 / 2,1 / 2) corresponding to M(2)(AF) increases with decreasing temperature below the AFQ ordering temperature T(Q), and exhibits a broad maximum at T approximately 3 K and decreases with a further decrease of temperature. This unusual behavior of M(AF) at low fields is explained as a result of the competition between the AF-octupolar and AF-exchange interactions in the O(xy) type AFQ ordered state.

Localization of nuclear coactivators p300 and steroid receptor coactivator 1 in the rat hippocampus

Cofactors (coactivators and corepressors) play an important role in mediating ligand-dependent transcription by steroid hormone receptors, but little has been reported about the distribution of coactivators in the brain. The present study represents the first immunohistochemical attempt to elucidate the localization of coactivators p300 and steroid receptor coactivator 1 (SRC-1) in the hippocampus of the rat. p300- and SRC-1-immunoreactivities were observed in CA1-CA4 pyramidal cell layers of the hippocampus and the granular cell layer of the dentate gyrus, and their localization was in the cell nucleus. Double-labeling immunohistochemistry of p300 and SRC-1 indicated that both coactivators were colocalized in the same cell. Antibodies against neuron specific enolase (NSE) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were used to identify whether neuron and glia contained p300 or SRC-1. Most p300- or SRC-1-containing cells showed NSE-immunoreactivity, but a limited number of these cells showed GFAP-immunoreactivity. These findings suggest that in the hippocampus p300 and SRC-1 synergistically play an important role in activating ligand-dependent transcription by steroid hormone receptor.

[Pancreas cancer]

In Japan, the number of deaths due to pancreas cancer and its crude mortality in both males and females are increasing. Though the age-adjusted mortality of females seems to have reached a plateau, there might be an outbreak of this cancer in the future, since that young people nowadays like fast food, much of which contains considerable animal protein. There were significant correlations between the annual crude mortality of this cancer and the annual consumption of animal foods, animal protein and fat in Hokkaido from 1975 to 1997. Taking in less animal food and more plant food is important in the primary prevention of this cancer.

Constituents of a fern, Diplazium subsinuatum. III. Four new hopane-triterpene lactone glycosides

From a whole plant of a fern, Diplazium subsinuatum, three new hopane-triterpene lactone glycosides, diplaziosides V-VII (1-3), were isolated, together with a new monoacetyl derivative (4) of diplazioside VII (3). Compounds 1-3 were defined as the respective 3-O-[beta-D-glucopyranosyl-(1-->2)]-beta-D-glucopyranosides of 3beta,24-dihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (1), of 3beta,17,24-trihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (2), and of (22R)-3beta,24,30-trihydroxyhopan-28,22-olide (3), and 4 as the 6"-O-acetate of 3, respectively, on the basis of spectral evidence. 1-3 are new in their glycoside structures but also in their triterpene structures. Furthermore, in compounds 1-4, the coupling between the 24-hydroxy proton and one of the 24-methylene protons showed a very large J-value (11.4 Hz); based on this 1H-NMR evidence, etc., preferred conformations of the 24-hydroxymethylene groups in 1-4 are also inferred. In a similar manner, 1H-NMR coupling patterns of the 24-hydroxymethylene in the monoglucoside (2a) and aglycone (2b), derived from 2, are also reported and discussed here.

Increased susceptibility to fatigue of slow- and fast-twitch muscles from mice lacking the MG29 gene

Mitsugumin 29 (MG29), a major protein component of the triad junction in skeletal muscle, has been identified to play roles in the formation of precise junctional membrane structures important for efficient signal conversion in excitation-contraction (E-C) coupling. We carried out several experiments to not only study the role of MG29 in normal muscle contraction but also to determine its role in muscle fatigue. We compared the in vitro contractile properties of three muscles types, extensor digitorum longus (EDL) (fast-twitch muscle), soleus (SOL) (slow-twitch muscle), and diaphragm (DPH) (mixed-fiber muscle), isolated from mice lacking the MG29 gene and wild-type mice prior to and after fatigue. Our results indicate that the mutant EDL and SOL muscles, but not DPH, are more susceptible to fatigue than the wild-type muscles. The mutant muscles not only fatigued to a greater extent but also recovered significantly less than the wild-type muscles. Following fatigue, the mutant EDL and SOL muscles produced lower twitch forces than the wild-type muscles; in addition, fatiguing produced a downward shift in the force-frequency relationship in the mutant mice compared with the wild-type controls. Our results indicate that fatiguing affects the E-C components of the mutant EDL and SOL muscles, and the effect of fatigue in these mutant muscles could be primarily due to an alteration in the intracellular Ca homeostasis.

[Corticosteroid receptor and stress]

Adrenal corticosteroids readily enter the brain and exert markedly diverse effects, such as stress response of the target neural cells. These effects are regulated via two receptor systems, the mineralocorticoid receptor (MR; type I corticosteroid receptor) and the glucocorticoid receptor (GR; type II corticosteroid receptor), both of which are ligand-dependent transcription factors. MR is localized mainly in the hippocampus, and GR is distributed throughout the brain. MR and GR, however, are highly colocalized in the hippocampus, which is a target of the stress hormone and an especially plastic and vulnerable region of the brain. MR has a high affinity for corticosterone/cortisol, a common endogenous ligand for MR and GR, and is extensively bound at low levels of circulating corticosterone/cortisol. GR has a lower affinity and is extensively bound at high levels of circulating corticosterone/cortisol. These findings suggest that MR plays major roles under physiological conditions, whereas GR is mainly effective at high concentrations of corticosterone/cortisol, such as stressful conditions. The interactions of MR and GR in the hippocampal regions could be important for regulating stress response in the brain.

Prognostic significance of p27KIP1 protein and ki-67 growth fraction in non-small cell lung cancers

We immunohistochemically examined specimens of 215 surgically resected non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) for p27KIP1 protein (p27) expression and the growth fraction determined by the Ki-67 labeling index (LI). The NSCLCs analyzed showed considerable heterogeneity in both p27 and Ki-67 LIs; 25 of 207 (13%) lacked p27 expression (p27 LI < 5%), and 116 of 215 (54%) showed a high Ki-67 LI (>30%). The p27 LI was not significantly associated with the Ki-67 LI. A chi2 test showed that loss of p27 expression was inversely correlated with smoking (P = 0.01) and that a high Ki-67 LI was significantly associated with male gender, squamous cell carcinoma histology, and smoking (P < 0.0001 each). Prognostic values of p27 and Ki-67 expression were evaluated in 109 tumors of postsurgical pathological stages I and II. Patients with tumors lacking p27 expression survived for a significantly shorter time than patients with tumors expressing p27 (5-year survival rates, 38% and 68%, respectively; P = 0.02). Patients with tumors having a high Ki-67 LI survived for a significantly shorter time than patients with tumors having a low Ki-67 LI (5-year survival rates, 48% and 78%, respectively; P = 0.005). Multivariate analysis showed that loss of p27 expression tended to be an unfavorable prognostic factor (P = 0.054), whereas a high Ki-67 LI was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor (P = 0.004). When analyzed by cell types, loss of p27 expression was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in squamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.01), whereas a high Ki-67 LI was a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in nonsquamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.007). We further evaluated the importance of p27 expression in clinical outcome in combination with the Ki-67 LI and ras p21 protein (ras) expression, which we previously reported as an important prognostic factor in NSCLCs. Patients with tumors lacking p27 expression and having a high Ki-67 LI survived for a significantly shorter time than those with tumors expressing p27 and having a high Ki-67 LI (5-year survival rates, 17% and 52%, respectively; P = 0.003). Patients with p27-negative and ras-positive tumors survived for a significantly shorter time than those with both p27- and ras-positive tumors (5-year survival rates, 0% and 38%, respectively; P < 0.0001). These results indicate the pivotal roles of p27 and Ki-67 expression in the clinical outcome of NSCLCs.

A region of the sulfonylurea receptor critical for a modulation of ATP-sensitive K(+) channels by G-protein betagamma-subunits

To determine the interaction site(s) of ATP-sensitive K(+) (K(ATP)) channels for G-proteins, sulfonylurea receptor (SUR2A or SUR1) and pore-forming (Kir6.2) subunits were reconstituted in the mammalian cell line, COS-7. Intracellular application of the G-protein betagamma2-subunits (G(betagamma)(2)) caused a reduction of ATP-induced inhibition of Kir6.2/SUR channel activities by lessening the ATP sensitivity of the channels. G(betagamma)(2) bound in vitro to both intracellular (loop-NBD) and C-terminal segments of SUR2A, each containing a nucleotide-binding domain (NBD). Furthermore, a single amino acid substitution in the loop-NBD of SUR (Arg656Ala in SUR2A or Arg665Ala in SUR1) abolished the G(betagamma)(2)-dependent alteration of the channel activities. These findings provide evidence that G(betagamma) modulates K(ATP) channels through a direct interaction with the loop-NBD of SUR.

Relationship between suicide and holidays

Employing the vital statistics from January 1, 1979 to December 31, 1994 in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, we investigated the relationship between suicide (ICD 9 code, El15) and days of the week. In one day 1.97 males and 0.98 females committed suicide on average. On Saturdays the number of suicides per day was the smallest. On Mondays it was the highest. When the days were classified into (1) a holiday, (2) the day before a holiday, (3) the day after a holiday (4) the day both before and after a holiday and (5) others, the rate of suicide was the lowest in the days before a holiday. In the days after a holiday, however, the rate was the highest. The same tendency was also noted when the subjects were classified into several subgroups from the viewpoint of ages, seasons or calendar years. The time relation of holidays seemed to have something to do with the intention to commit suicide.

Distribution of nociceptin/orphanin FQ precursor protein and receptor in brain and spinal cord: a study using in situ hybridization and X-gal histochemistry in receptor-deficient mice

Nociceptin/orphanin FQ (N/OFQ) is an opioid-like heptadecapeptide agonist for the opioid receptor homolog, N/OFQ receptor. To explore the precise distribution of the peptide-receptor system, the authors examined the brain and spinal cord from receptor-deficient mice bearing the targeted mutation (morc(m1)), a lacZ insertional mutation in the N/OFQ receptor gene. Precursor protein N/OFQ (preproN/OFQ) mRNA was detected by using in situ hybridization, and the N/OFQ receptor was detected by using X-gal histochemistry. The N/OFQ receptor reflected by lacZ expression was observed at high levels in the dentate gyrus, lateral septum, subparafascicular thalamic nucleus, medial preoptic area, median preoptic nucleus, ventromedial preoptic nucleus, anterior hypothalamic area, paraventricular hypothalamic nucleus, ventromedial hypothalamic nucleus, auditory brainstem nuclei, pontine dorsal tegmentum, and nucleus of the solitary tract. In situ detection of the N/OFQ receptor mRNA by digoxigenin-labeled riboprobes coupled with tyramide signal amplification in normal and wild-type mice resulted in the regional distribution paralleling the lacZ expression in these regions. PreproN/OFQ mRNA was expressed at high levels in the subparafascicular thalamic nucleus, central gray, central tegmental field, auditory brainstem nuclei, caudal spinal trigeminal nucleus, and spinal dorsal horn. Furthermore, variable levels of expression of the peptide and receptor were seen in distinct sites of the brain and spinal cord. These data indicate a correspondence of the peptide and the receptor in local distribution at limbic, hypothalamic, and brainstem sites. Together with concurrent physiologic and behavioral studies in mutant mice, the results suggest functional roles for the N/OFQ system, including the central regulation of learning and memory, hearing ability, water balance, food intake, and blood pressure.

Characterization of human junctophilin subtype genes

Junctophilin (JP) subtypes, namely JP-1, 2, and 3, have been currently identified in excitable cells and constitute a novel family of junctional membrane complex proteins. Our studies have suggested that JPs take part in the formation of junctional membrane complexes by spanning the membrane of the intracellular Ca(2+) store and interacting with the cell-surface membrane. In this report we describe the primary structures, genomic organization, and tissue distribution of human JP subtypes. By cloning and analyzing human genomic DNA segments, the protein-coding sequence interrupted with four introns was defined in each JP gene. The deduced human JP subtypes shared characteristic structural features with their rabbit and mouse counterparts. Genomic mapping demonstrated that JP genes do not cluster on the human genome. RNA blot hybridization indicated that tissue-specific expression patterns of JP genes in human are essentially the same as those in mouse; skeletal muscle contained both JP-1 and JP-2 mRNAs, the heart predominantly expressed JP-2 mRNA, and the brain specifically contained JP-3 mRNA. In the light of this, we propose intramolecular domains of JP subtypes based on the structural and functional characteristics.

In vitro and in vivo immunocytochemistry for the distribution of mineralocorticoid receptor with the use of specific antibody

To examine the distribution of mineralocorticoid receptor (MR) and the interactions with glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in the brain, we raised a polyclonal antibody against the transcriptional modulation domain of rat MR using the GST-fusion system. Immunoblotting analysis revealed that this antibody recognized a band with the molecular mass of MR in MR-transfected COS-1 cells and in a homogenate of rat hippocampus, and showed no cross-reactivity with GR. In vitro immunocytochemistry of both primary cultured hippocampal neurons and MR-transfected cells revealed immunoreactivity detected by this antibody in both the cytoplasm and nucleus in the absence of aldosterone (ALD), a specific agonist of MR. After 1 h of treatment with 10(-7) M ALD, the MR-immunoreactivity was accumulated in the nuclear region. In the case of GR-transfected cells, our anti-MR antibody either detected no immunopositive cells in the presence or absence of GR agonist. In our in vivo study, MR-immunoreactivity was observed in the rat hippocampus, where cell nuclei showed immunopositive reactions. These results suggest that our antibody against rat MR shows high specificity for the receptor both in liganded and unliganded forms, with no cross-reactivity to GR, and will be useful for cell biological and neuroanatomical investigations of MR.

Junctophilins: a novel family of junctional membrane complex proteins

Junctional complexes between the plasma membrane (PM) and endoplasmic/sarcoplasmic reticulum (ER/ SR) are a common feature of all excitable cell types and mediate cross-talk between cell surface and intracellular ion channels. We have identified the junctophilins (JPs), a novel conserved family of proteins that are components of the junctional complexes. JPs are composed of a carboxy-terminal hydrophobic segment spanning the ER/SR membrane and a remaining cytoplasmic domain that shows specific affinity for the PM. In mouse, there are at least three JP subtypes: JP-1, -2, and -3. JP-2 is abundantly expressed in the heart, and mutant mice lacking JP-2 exhibited embryonic lethality. Cardiac myocytes from the mutant mice showed deficiency of the junctional membrane complexes and abnormal Ca2+ transients. Our results suggest that JPs are important components of junctional membrane complexes.

Role of nociceptin systems in learning and memory

This article summarizes our recent finding that the nociceptin system is involved in the regulation of learning and memory. The nociceptin-knockout mice show greater learning ability in the water maze task, an enhanced latent learning in the water finding task, better memory in the passive avoidance task, and further, larger long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region than wild-type mice. Nociceptin itself induces an impairment of passive avoidance task in wild-type mice, which is reversed by naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH). Thus, the nociceptin system seems to play negative roles in learning and memory, and NalBzoH may act as a potent antagonist for the nociceptin receptor.

Direct evidence for the localized single-triplet excitations and the dispersive multitriplet excitations in SrCu2(BO3)2

We performed inelastic neutron scattering on the 2D Shastry-Sutherland system SrCu2(11BO3)2 with an exact dimer ground state. Three energy levels at around 3, 5, and 9 meV were observed at 1.7 K. The lowest excitation at 3.0 meV is almost dispersionless with a bandwidth of 0.2 meV at most, showing a significant constraint on a single-triplet hopping owing to the orthogonality of the neighboring dimers. In contrast, the correlated two-triplet excitations at 5 meV exhibit a more dispersive behavior.

Trophic interactions between brain-derived neurotrophic factor and s100beta on cultured serotonergic neurons

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and S100beta stimulate serotonergic neurons in fetal rat raphe primary cultures grown under serum-free conditions. BDNF (50 ng/ml) treatment for 3 h enhanced S100beta immunoreactivity in both raphe and hippocampal glial cells. Combined treatment with BDNF and S100beta for 3 days increased the soma area of 5-HT neurons, but not the neurite length. Our results suggest that BDNF and S100beta, which regulate different signal transduction cascades, interact to exert complimentary effects on neuronal maturation by acting sequentially, not concurrently.

Factors influencing the visual acuity of primary school pupils

To investigate the factors influencing the visual acuity of primary school pupils, an epidemiological study of 480 pupils in the 6th grade (11-12 years of age) was conducted in 8 primary schools in Sapporo City, Japan. Questionnaires were used to inquire into their current and past visual acuity and related factors. Dividing the subjects into those whose visual acuity of both eyes was 0.7 or more and those whose visual acuity of at least one eye was less than 0.7, odds ratios of various factors were calculated. Lifestyle and dietary factors showed no significant odds ratios. Parental myopia and age of parents at the birth of subjects showed significant odds ratios. Visual acuity of the pupils whose parents were myopic or older than 30 years when they were born tended to have worse visual acuity as they got older. Till the ages 11 or 12, hereditary factors seem much more contributory to visual acuity than environmental ones.

Genetic characterization of adenovirus strains isolated from patients with acute conjunctivitis in the city of São Paulo, Brazil

Genome analysis was carried out on adenovirus strains isolated from patients with acute follicular conjunctivitis in the city of São Paulo, Brazil. Eighteen conjunctival scrapings, collected between December 1993 and March 1994, were analyzed by two methods: a combination of polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism and viral DNA restriction analysis, carried out using 10 restriction endonucleases: BamHI, BglI, BglII, HindIII, KpnI, SacI, SalI, SmaI, XbaI, and XhoI. Among 11 adenovirus detected by cell culture isolation, nine were Ad8, and two were Ad7. By restriction analysis the Ad8 isolates were typed as two new variants-Ad8/D11 (seven of nine samples) and Ad8/D12 (two of nine samples). Ad7 isolates were identified as a subtype of the widespread genome type Ad7b and the virulent type Ad7h, a predominant genome type circulating in Argentina, Chile, and Uruguay but absent in Brazil until 1991.

Congenital malformations and childhood cancer

BACKGROUND

We investigated the epidemiology of congenital malformations and childhood cancer.

PROCEDURE

By employing the cases of the Registry of Childhood Malignancies in Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, from 1969 to 1996, the numbers of malignancies in cases (diagnosis at 0-14 years of age) with Down syndrome (DS), mental retardation (MR) excluding DS, luxatio coxae congenita (LCC), congenital heart disease (CHD) excluding DS, undescended testicle (UT), and cleft palate-lip (CPL) were calculated. Using the percentages of malignancies in the 2,349 cases without malformation, expected numbers of malignancies in the cases with the malformations were calculated. The observed numbers were statistically compared to expected ones.

RESULTS

In the DS cases, leukemia developed with a significantly high frequency, but no UT cases developed leukemia. No brain tumor was preceded by DS. This could not be explained only by early death from coexisting diseases such as CHD, insofar as the CHD cases without DS developed brain tumors more frequently than expected. The ratio of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) to acute nonlymphoblastic leukemia (ANLL) was different among the malformations. The MR cases developed ANLL more frequently than expected, whereas the CPL cases developed ALL more frequently. The distribution of the age at diagnosis for Wilms' tumor was different according to the underlying malformation.

CONCLUSIONS

Malformations might have some factors that inhibit or delay as well as promote the development of certain malignancies.

[Studies on chemical constituents of Peucedanum medium Dunn var. garcile Dunn ex Shan at Sheh]

OBJECTIVE

To study the chemical constitutents in Peucedanum medium var. gracile distributed in Guangxi.

METHOD

Chromatography and spectral analysis were used to isolated and elucidate the constituents.

RESULT

Eight compounds were isolated from the root of P. medium var. gracile and elucidated as isoimperatorin, phellopterin, bergapten, oxypeucedanin hydrate, byakangelicin beta-sitosterol, hamaudol and mannitol.

CONCLUSION

Seven compounds were obtained from this plant for the first time.

Early normal menstrual cycle pattern and the development of uterine leiomyomas

It is unclear if women who develop uterine leiomyomas have had menstrual regularity or irregularity in their reproductive life. This case-control study examines the recalled menstrual cycle patterns throughout the reproductive life among women requiring hysterectomy for myomas. One hundred twenty-two women with myomas and 244 age-matched healthy controls without myomas were enrolled in Japan. The incidence of normal menstrual cycle pattern in their teens among patients with myoma was significantly higher than that among healthy controls (p < 0.01). The subset results for parous women were the same as those for all subjects. The size of the uterus in myoma patients with teenage menstrual regularity was not larger than in those with teenage menstrual irregularity. Women who developed myomas later in life tended to have early normal menstrual cycle pattern. Early menstrual regularity may enhance leiomyoma growth in early reproductive life.

Molecular cloning of cDNA encoding a drosophila ryanodine receptor and functional studies of the carboxyl-terminal calcium release channel

Ryanodine is a plant alkaloid that was originally used as an insecticide. To study the function and regulation of the ryanodine receptor (RyR) from insect cells, we have cloned the entire cDNA sequence of RyR from the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster. The primary sequence of the Drosophila RyR contains 5134 amino acids, which shares approximately 45% identity with RyRs from mammalian cells, with a large cytoplasmic domain at the amino-terminal end and a small transmembrane domain at the carboxyl-terminal end. To characterize the Ca(2+) release channel activity of the cloned Drosophila RyR, we expressed both full-length and a deletion mutant of Drosophila RyR lacking amino acids 277-3650 (Drosophila RyR-C) in Chinese hamster ovary cells. For subcellular localization of the expressed Drosophila RyR and Drosophila RyR-C proteins, green fluorescent protein (GFP)-Drosophila RyR and GFP-Drosophila RyR-C fusion constructs were generated. Confocal microscopic imaging identified GFP-Drosophila RyR and GFP-Drosophila RyR-C on the endoplasmic reticulum membranes of transfected cells. Upon reconstitution into the lipid bilayer membrane, Drosophila RyR-C formed a large conductance cation-selective channel, which was sensitive to modulation by ryanodine. Opening of the Drosophila RyR-C channel required the presence of microM concentration of Ca(2+) in the cytosolic solution, but the channel was insensitive to inhibition by Ca(2+) at concentrations as high as 20 mM. Our data are consistent with our previous observation with the mammalian RyR that the conduction pore of the calcium release channel resides within the carboxyl-terminal end of the protein and further demonstrate that structural and functional features are essentially shared by mammalian and insect RyRs.

Changes in dopamine transporter and c-Fos expression in the nucleus accumbens of alcohol-tolerant rats

BACKGROUND

We have shown that neurochemical functions of 5-HT3 receptors in regulating dopamine (DA) release in the nucleus accumbens (ACC) after alcohol exposure compensate for the dysfunction of serotonergic activity to restore the original properties in processing alcohol tolerance, and that the development of alcohol dependence may be mediated by ACC 5-HT3 receptors. In the present study, the effects of chronic alcohol consumption on the functions of the dopamine transporter (DAT) and the expression of c-Fos proteins were investigated using in vivo brain microdialysis and immunocytochemistry.

METHODS

Perfusion of cocaine and 1-(2-Bis-(4-fluorophenyl) methoxy) ethyl)-4-(3-phenylpropyl) piperizine (GBR 12909) through the microdialysis probe membrane increased the extracellular levels of DA in ACC of alcohol-treated rats that had developed alcohol tolerance by drinking 10% EtOH for 30 days.

RESULTS

The magnitudes of DA reuptake or DAT inhibitors, cocaine, and GBR 12909 that induced DA availability in the ACC were significantly higher in alcohol-treated rats than in controls. When compared with control rats, the alcohol-treated rats exhibited higher levels of DA and its metabolite, DOPAC, in the ACC. Increased expression of the c-Fos-like protein was found in the ACC of alcohol-treated rats. These results show that (1) chronic alcohol consumption desensitizes or decreases the DAT of DA terminals in the ACC and that (2) EtOH causes cellular hyperexcitability of ACC dopaminergic neurons with increased Fos expression during alcohol tolerance.

CONCLUSION

The findings suggested that an abnormality of the dopaminergic neurons in the ACC that are involved with DAT dysfunction is associated with the development of alcohol tolerance.

Power Doppler sonography: evaluation of hepatocellular carcinoma after treatment with transarterial embolization or percutaneous ethanol injection therapy

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to compare tumor detectability by assessing the vascularity on power and color Doppler sonography and CT after transarterial embolization or percutaneous ethanol injection therapy or both in hepatocellular carcinoma.

SUBJECTS AND METHODS

Forty-seven nodules of hepatocellular carcinoma (size, 28 +/- 7 mm [mean +/- standard deviation]; range, 20-40 mm) in 38 patients were treated with transarterial embolization (n = 6), percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (n = 23), and transarterial embolization plus percutaneous ethanol injection therapy (n = 9). Power Doppler sonography, color Doppler sonography, and CT were performed before and 2 weeks, 3 months, and 6 months after the treatments. The existence of hepatocellular carcinoma was confirmed by positive findings for color signals on both Doppler sonography techniques and for tumor stains on CT. All the tumors were determined to be malignant by microscopic examination of biopsy specimens.

RESULTS

Before the treatments, power Doppler sonography (100%) and CT (100%) were significantly more effective than color Doppler sonography (61.7%) (p < 0.001, for both). Six months after the treatments, the sensitivity of power Doppler sonography (87.5%) was significantly better than that of color Doppler sonography (12.5%) but was not significant in comparison with CT (66.6%). However, power Doppler sonography detected color signals in two of three tumors in which iodized oil was accumulated and no tumor stain appeared on CT, and the two lesions detected with power Doppler sonography were carcinomas.

CONCLUSION

Power Doppler sonography can be considered the most sensitive technique in assessing the viability of hepatocellular carcinoma treated with transarterial embolization or percutaneous ethanol injection therapy or both.

Cyclin E expression, a potential prognostic marker for non-small cell lung cancers

Cyclin E is a G1 cyclin that has been shown to be one of the key regulators of the G1-S transition and could consequently be a deregulated molecule in tumors. In the present study, we have characterized cyclin E expression by immunohistochemistry in 217 resected non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLCs) and found large variations in cyclin E expression among tumors. High-level cyclin E expression (a cyclin E-labeling index > or =30%), observed in 115 (53%) of 217 NSCLCs, was more frequently found in tumors from smokers than from nonsmokers (P = 0.001), in squamous cell carcinomas than in nonsquamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.0002), and in pT2-4 tumors than in pT1 tumors (P = 0.04) by the chi2 test. Multivariate logistic regression analysis for the correlation between cyclin E expression and various characteristics showed a significant association of high-level cyclin E expression with squamous cell carcinomas (P = 0.005). Patients with tumors having high-level cyclin E expression survived a significantly shorter time than patients with tumors having low-level expression, both among the 151 patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs (5-year survival rates, 48 and 63%, respectively; P = 0.03) and the 103 patients with p stage I NSCLCs (5-year survival rates, 57 and 81%, respectively; P = 0.007). High-level cyclin E expression was also a significant and independent unfavorable prognostic factor in both patients with potentially curatively resected NSCLCs (P = 0.01) and in those with p stage I NSCLCs (P = 0.03) by Cox's proportional hazards model analysis. These findings indicate that cyclin E may play a pivotal role for the biological behavior of NSCLCs, and that a high level of cyclin E expression may be a new prognostic marker for NSCLCs.

Fertility and uterine size among Asian women undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyomas

OBJECTIVE

To ascertain whether an epidemiological relationship exists between fertility and uterine leiomyomas, and whether uterine size is associated with fertility among Asian women undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyomas.

METHODS

The study was conducted in Sapporo, Japan. 91 women undergoing hysterectomy for myomas were compared with age-matched controls with respect to reproductive factors. Further comparisons were made of these factors in women with large myomas and those with small ones.

RESULTS

Women with leiomyomas were more likely to be nulliparous than controls (P < .01), and the risk of leiomyoma increased as the number of births decreased (P < .01). Time since last birth was associated with increased risk in women with large myomas (P < .05). Women with fewer births undergoing hysterectomy for leiomyomas tended to have greater uterine weight.

CONCLUSION

Fewer births may be a cause of larger leiomyomas.

Structure and stability of the consecutive stereoregulated chiral phosphorothioate DNA duplex

The duplex structures of the stereoregulated phosphorothioate DNAs, [R(p),R(p)]- and [S(p),S(p)]-[d(GC(ps)T(ps)ACG)] (ps, phosphorothioate; PS-DNA), with their complementary RNA have been investigated by combined use of (1)H NMR and restrained molecular dynamics calculation. Compared to those obtained for the unmodified duplex structures (PO-DNA.RNA), the NOE cross-peak intensities are virtually identical for the PS-DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes. The structural analysis on the basis of the NOE restraints reveals that all of the three DNA.RNA duplexes take a A-form conformation and that there is no significant difference in the base stacking for the DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes. On the other hand, the NOE cross-peak intensities of the protons around the central T(ps)A step of the PS-DNA.DNA duplexes are apparently different from those of PO-DNA. DNA. The chemical shifts of H8/6 and H1' at the T(ps)A step are also largely different among PS-DNA.DNAs and PO-DNA.DNA, suggesting that the DNA.DNA structure is readily changed by the introduction of the phosphorothioate groups to the central T(p)A step. The structure calculations indicate that all of these DNA.DNA duplexes are B-form although there exist some small differences in helical parameters between the [R(p),R(p)]- and [S(p),S(p)]PS-DNA.DNA duplexes. The melting temperatures (T(m)) were determined for all of the duplexes by plotting the chemical shift change of isolated peaks as a function of temperature. For the PS-DNA.RNA hybrid duplexes, the [S(p),S(p)] isomer is less stable than the [R(p),R(p)] isomer while this trend is reversed for the PS-DNA.DNA duplexes. Consequently, although the PS-DNA.RNA duplexes take the similar A-form structure, the duplex stability is different between PS-DNA.RNA duplexes. The stability of the DNA.RNA duplexes may not be governed by the A-form structure itself but by some other factors such as the hydration around the phosphorothioate backbone, although the T(m) difference of the DNA.DNA duplexes could be explained by the structural factor.

Molecular scanning for mutations in the melanocortin-4 receptor gene in obese/diabetic Japanese

Decreased function of the melanocortin-4 receptor (MC4R) was reported to cause late-onset obesity and insulin resistance in rodents. Thus mutations in the MC4R gene drew strong attention as a possible cause of obesity and diabetes. We screened for mutations in the MC4R gene in extremely obese [body mass index (BMI) > or = 35 kg/m2] Japanese with diabetes by direct sequencing. A heterozygous mutation (V103I) was detected in one case (2.0 %), however the frequency was not significantly different from that in non-obese (BMI < or = 24 kg/m2) and non-diabetic subjects (2.7 %). No other mutations were detected. These results suggest that mutations including V103I in the MC4R gene are not a major cause of obesity or diabetes in Japanese.

[Complications of extraintestinal endocrine disease associated with ulcerative colitis--association of ulcerative colitis and autoimmune thyroid disease]

We experienced a rare case of Basedow's disease followed by ulcerative colitis (UC). The association of UC and autoimmune thyroid disease was reviewed and discussed. A high frequency of endocrine autoimmunity, especially autoimmune thyroid disease, was reported in patients with UC. But prevalence of autoimmune thyroid disease associated with UC varies widely in different studies. Some authors described that it was impossible to say that the observed numbers of UC associated with thyroid disease exceed to those to be expected in a random sample of the general populations. The hypothesis that autoimmunity is important in the pathogenesis of UC and thyroid disease continues to stimulate interest. But the evidence for autoimmunity acting in these diseases is not quite as convinced. Further investigation is warranted to clarify the exact relationships between UC and thyroid disease.

Life span of Japanese male medical doctors

There have been few reports with regard to the life spans of medical doctors. The status of the medical doctors graduating from 1926 to 1974, alive or dead as of October 1996, was ascertained on the basis of the list of graduates from the School of Medicine, Hokkaido University. Excluding data on female doctors and those who died in battle during World War II, data on a total of 3,982 doctors were available for study. Their mortality as of October 1996 decreased in parallel with the graduation year. Their mean future life span at graduation was estimated to be about 52.88 years (95% CI, 52.45-53.31) through linear regression (r = 0.992). Their mean age at graduation was 25.17 years. This was not different from the future life expectancy at 25 years of age of the general population (52.35 years). The future life span of surgeons and gynecologists-obstetricians was shorter than that of the doctors of basic medical sciences and internal medicine. This difference might be accounted for by factors peculiar to each speciality (e.g., exposure to blood) or by the degree of stress from work.

Epidemiology of childhood brain tumors in Japan

Using the vital statistics issued annually by the Japanese Government from 1960 to 1994, the mortality of brain tumors during childhood (0-14 years of age) in Japan was estimated. Since there are few nationwide registries of childhood cancers with a sufficiently high registration rate, the incidence of brain tumors was calculated using the Registry of Childhood Malignancies in Hokkaido Prefecture from 1969 to 1996. Though the mortality due to malignant diseases as a whole during childhood has been decreasing, and though there should be progress in therapeutic methods, the mortality due to brain tumors in children has been increasing. The incidence of brain tumors in Hokkaido Prefecture has been increasing as well. There was no tendency for the incidence of medulloblastoma to decrease. The incidence of childhood brain tumors has been increasing in Japan, though the cause is unknown. The period of the present study corresponded to a period of high economic growth. Thus, a study on environmental factors would be interesting.

Distribution of glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in gastric mucosa of normal and adrenalectomized rats

Glucocorticoids have many effects in the stomach. It is well known that glucocorticoids function via the glucocorticoid receptor (GR). In this study, GR immunoreactivity in the gastric mucosa of normal and adrenalectomized (ADX) rats was examined immunohistochemically by using specific polyclonal antibodies against rat GR. In the gastric mucosa of normal rats, GR immunoreactivity was observed in the nuclei of morphologically identified parietal cells. Double immunohistochemical staining for GR and parietal cell, anti-parietal cell antibody-positive cells also had positive immunoreactions for GR. In the gastric mucosa of ADX rats, GR immunoreactivity was diminished in the nuclei of parietal cells but weak immunoreactivity was still observed. These results suggest that parietal cells in the gastric mucosa of rats are directly regulated by glucocorticoids via its receptors. Nuclear GR immunoreactivity in gastric parietal cells is thought to depend on the circulating ligands.

Relationship between urinary cadmium and mortality among inhabitants living in a cadmium polluted area in Japan

A 15 year follow-up study of 3119 inhabitants living in a cadmium polluted area was conducted to investigate the influence of environmental cadmium exposure on the mortality. The cumulative survival curves of the subjects with urinary cadmium concentration > or = 10 microg/g creatinine was lower than that of the subjects with < 10 microg/g creatinine in the men aged 50-59 and 60-69 years and in the women aged 60-69 and 70-79 years. In the men aged 50-69 years and the all aged women, the cumulative survival curves became lower in proportion to the increase of urinary cadmium concentration, when the subjects were divided into four groups according to the amount of urinary cadmium concentration (< 5, 5-9.9, 10.1-19.9, > or = 20 microg/g creatinine). These results suggested a dose response relationship between cadmium exposure and mortality.

Zung's depression scale as a predictor of death in elderly people: a cohort study in Hokkaido, Japan

The relation between each question in the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) of Zung and mortality in elderly people was investigated. Subjects were 2,166 inhabitants aged from 60 to 74 years in the Hidaka district of Hokkaido Prefecture, Japan, who were the same as in our previous prospective study concerning mental depression and mortality (J. Epidemiol. 1997). They were followed until February 1996. Among the original 20 questions of the SDS, 12 ones showed significant risk ratio for mortality (those whose score was 3 or 4 vs 1 or 2; P < 0.01). The mortality of those whose average score of the 12 questions was more than 2.4 (severe depression) was 157.2 per 1,000, which was about 5.8 time as high as that of those who were not depressive (average score < 2.0). The 12 questions showed different risk ratios concerning the mortality of cancer, heart disease and cerebrovascular disease. The questions "Morning is when I feel the best" and "My heart beats faster than usual," e.g., showed a significant risk ratio only for the mortality of heart disease (3.96) and for that of cerebrovascular disease (16.49), respectively (P < 0.01). Similar results were obtained from the subjects without respective diseases at the time of survey. Using these 12 questions, the risk for death and its cause can be estimated to a certain extent, and consequently, social supports can be given more effectively and more carefully.

[A comparative study of a thick and standard loop in transurethral resection of the prostate]

We compared the safety and efficacy of transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) with a thick loop and with a standard loop. We compared 36 consecutive men (median age, 70 years) with symptomatic benign prostatic hyperlasia (BPH) treated by TURP with a thick loop to a cohort of 36 men (median age, 72 years) treated by TURP with a standard loop. The safety parameters of evaluation included the operative time, blood loss, chronological changes in serum sodium, and complications. The efficacy parameters of evaluation included International Prostate Symptom Score, quality of life assessment, peak urinary flow rate, and post-void residual urine volume. The operative time (median, 49.5 versus 43.5 minutes), blood loss (median, 179 versus 127 ml), and change in serum sodium (median, -4.0 versus -6.0 mEq/L) were not significantly greater in the thick loop group than in the standard loop group, respectively. There were no major complications in either group. Clinically significant improvement was observed in all efficacy parameters in both groups, with no difference between the two groups. These results suggest that TURP with a thick loop is not necessarily superior to TURP with a standard loop in terms of decreasing the blood loss and decreasing the operative time.

Immunolocalization of mitsugumin29 in developing skeletal muscle and effects of the protein expressed in amphibian embryonic cells

The temporal appearance and subcellular distribution of mitsugumin29 (MG29), a 29-kDa transmembrane protein isolated from the triad junction in skeletal muscle, were examined by immunohistochemistry during the development of rabbit skeletal muscle. MG29 appeared in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) in muscle cells at fetal day 15 before the onset of transverse tubule (T tubule) formation. In muscle cells at fetal day 27, in which T tubule and triad formation is ongoing, both SR and triad were labeled for MG29. In muscle cells at newborn 1 day, the labeling of the SR had become weak and the triads were well developed and clearly labeled for MG29. Specific and clear labeling for MG29 was restricted to the triads in adult skeletal muscle cells. When MG29 was expressed in amphibian embryonic cells by injection of the cRNA, a large quantity of tubular smooth-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (sER) was formed in the cytoplasm. The tubular sER was 20-40 nm in diameter and appeared straight or reticular in shape. The tubular sER was formed by the fusion of coated vesicles [budded off from the rough-surfaced endoplasmic reticulum (rER)] and vacuoles of rER origin. The present results suggest that MG29 may play important roles both in the formation of the SR and the construction of the triads during the early development of skeletal muscle cells.

Real-time imaging of glucocorticoid receptor dynamics in living neurons and glial cells in comparison with non-neural cells

To investigate the intracellular trafficking of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in response to various conditions in a single living cell, a green fluorescent protein (GFP) and rat GR chimera construct (GFP-GR) was prepared. We transiently transfected GFP-GR into primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons, cortical glial cells, and non-neural cells, e.g. COS-1 cells and CV-1 cells, and compared the dynamic changes in subcellular localization of GFP-GR in these cells. When GFP-GR was expressed in the cells, GFP-GR efficiently transactivated the mouse mammary tumour virus promoter in response to dexamethasone (DEX). The cytoplasm-to-nuclear translocation of GFP-GR induced with 10(-7) m DEX, a specific agonist of GR, at 37 degrees C was completed within 30 min in all cell types used, and the rate of nuclear translocation was dependent on the ligand dose. The translocation of GFP-GR into the nucleus from the cytoplasm was induced in a ligand-specific manner, similar to that of the native GR. The disruption of microtubules by colchicine or nocodazole showed no significant effect on the DEX-induced GFP-GR translocation from the cytoplasmic region to the nuclear region. The cells were not deteriorated during time-lapse imaging analysis for 1 h at 37 degrees C. The present findings suggest that the subcellular localization of GFP-GR is dynamically changed in response to extracellular and intracellular conditions, and that there are no conspicuous variations in the manner of trafficking of GR among different types of cells in vitro.

Down-regulation of ACTH and glucocorticoid receptor immunoreactivity in hypothalamic arcuate neurons after adrenalectomy in the rat

The expression of glucocorticoid receptor (GR) in rat adrenocorticotropin (ACTH)-containing neurons in rat brain was immunohistochemically investigated. ACTH-containing cell bodies were found mainly in the arcuate nucleus. Most of these neurons exhibited GR immunoreactivities in their nuclei. ACTH-containing nerve fibers were distributed in the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis, periventricular nucleus, retrochiasmatic nucleus, parvocellular part of paraventricular nucleus and dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus. After adrenalectomy there was a marked decrease of ACTH immunoreactivity, as well as GR immunoreactivity, in neurons of the arcuate nucleus, but ACTH immunoreactivity in the fibers was not affected. These results indicate that glucocorticoids up-regulate ACTH and GR production in hypothalamic arcuate neurons, but that glucocorticoid-induced changes could be delayed in the fibers derived from these neurons.

Components of the ether-insoluble resin glycoside fraction from the seed of Cuscuta australis

An ether-insoluble resin glycoside fraction was obtained from the seeds of Cuscuta australis. Identification and characterization of alkaline hydrolysis products by means of GC, FABMS, and 1H, 13C, and 2D NMR revealed the material to be composed of three new glycosidic acids, cuscutic acids A1-A3 (1-3); triglycosides with (11S)-jalapinolic or (11S)-convolvulinolic acid as the aglycon; and acetic, isobutyric, (2S)-2-methylbutyric, tiglic, and (2R,3R)-nilic acids. The resin glycoside is considered to be a complex mixture of glycosidic ester-type oligomers (up to heptamers) with a core consisting of a number of the above cuscutic acids each acylated with one or two carboxylic acid moieties.

Nociceptin system plays a role in the memory retention: involvement of naloxone benzoylhydrazone binding sites

We investigated the role of nociceptin system in learning and memory in mice. The deficiency of nociceptin receptors and nociceptin itself did not affect the alternation behavior in the Y-maze test. In the passive avoidance test, the step-through latencies of nociceptin receptor knockout mice were longer than those of wild-type mice. Nociceptin shortened the step-through latency in wild-type mice. This impairment on passive avoidance task was reversed by naloxone benzoylhydrazone (NalBzoH), indicating that the amnesic effects of nociceptin may be mediated through the NalBzoH recognition sites. These suggest that nociceptin system plays an important role in the memory retention of passive avoidance task, and NalBzoH-recognized sites are involved in nociceptin-induced impairment of the memory retention.

RhoN, a novel small GTP-binding protein expressed predominantly in neurons and hepatic stellate cells

A cDNA encoding a novel member of the small molecular weight GTP-binding protein (small G-protein) superfamily was cloned from rat spinal cord. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly homologous with those of so-far-known Rho proteins. Rho proteins were reported to alter many important cellular functions including formation of both actin stress fibers and focal adhesions. RNA blot hybridization and in situ hybridization analyses indicated that the novel small G-protein is expressed specifically in neurons in the brain and spinal cord and also in hepatic stellate cells. Based on the sequence similarity and neuron-specific expression in the brain, this protein was named RhoN. Unlike classical Rho proteins, RhoN was not susceptible to the ADP-ribosylation reaction by C3 botulinum toxin. Accordingly, RhoN seemed to be specifically involved in neuronal and hepatic functions as a C3 toxin-insensitive member of the Rho subfamily. Then, a mouse genomic DNA segment containing the RhoN gene was cloned. The locus was mapped on the mouse chromosome 11C-D. The sequence data showed that the protein-coding sequence for RhoN is divided by 4 introns, and that the defined 5 exons may encode intramolecular domains serving for different functions.

Agonist- and antagonist-induced plasticity of rat 5-HT1A receptor in hippocampal cell culture

We examined the response and regulation of 5-HT1A receptor on hippocampal cultured fetal neurons grown in the absence of serotonin and steroids using three experimental designs: 1) functional response using an antibody against phosphorylated cyclic adenosine monophosphate response element binding protein (pCREB); 2) transcriptional regulation using in situ hybridization; and 3) translational expression using antipeptide 5-HT1A receptor antibody. Pretreatment of cultured hippocampal cells with the agonist 8-hydroxy-2-(di-N-propylamino)-tetralin (8-OH-DPAT) (10(-8) M) or ipsapirone (IPS) (10(-9) M) for 10 min blocked the forskolin-stimulated increase in pCREB immunoreactivity. In situ hybridization radioautography revealed that IPS (10(-9) M) decreased the 5-HT1A receptor mRNA expression (-33%) after a 24-h treatment. The decrease in 5-HT1A receptor mRNAwas accompanied by a change in protein immunoreactivity using a 5-HT1A receptor antipeptide antibody. Computer-assisted morphometric analyses showed a reduction in the 5-HT1A receptor immunoreactive (IR) intensity as compared to control 24 h after treatment with 8-OH-DPAT (10(-7)-10(-12) M) and IPS (10(-9) M). Thus, fetal hippocampal neurons have a functional 5-HT1A receptor that is downregulated at both the transcription and translation levels. In addition, we found increased 5-HT1A receptor-IR intensity (+17% approximately +39%) 24 h after treatment with the antagonist N-[2-[4-(2-methoxyphenyl)-1-piperazinyl]ethyl]-N-(2-pyridinyl) cyclohexane carboxamide (WAY 100635) (10(-7)-10(-12) M). Our results indicate that the 5-HT1A receptor is sensitive to both agonists (downregulation) and antagonists (upregulation) in hippocampal fetal neurons grown in the absence of serotonin and steroids.

[Appropriate duration of postoperative pain relief by continuous epidural infusion in patients receiving hysterectomy or ovarian tumor resection: comparison of three methods]

We evaluated effects of continuous epidural infusion on postoperative pain, and frequency of its side effects. Patients who had undergone elective gynecological operations were randomly allocated into three groups by difference in duration of indwelling of epidural catheters: patients receiving epidural block only during operations (group M); patients receiving continuous epidural infusion for 2 postoperative days (group B 2); patients receiving continuous epidural infusion for 4 postoperative days (group B 4). In group M, morphine 3 mg and 1 or 2% lidocaine 5-7 ml were given before the start of operation, and epidural catheter was removed after the end of operations. In group B 2 and B 4, morphine 2 mg and 1 or 2% lidocaine 5-7 ml were given before the start of operation, and morphine 8 mg in 50 ml of 0.25% bupivacaine was continuously infused at a rate of 0.5-1 ml.hr-1. We evaluated visual analogue scale (VAS) at rest and moving, and verbal descriptor pain score. Frequencies of supplementary analgesics, vomiting and nausea, residual urine volume after removal of bladder catheter, and timing to initiation of bowel movement after operation were also recorded. VAS at rest was significantly higher in group M than in groups B 2 and B 4 for 2 postoperative days, but no significant difference was seen between the three groups for three postoperative days. VAS at moving did not differ between the 3 groups. Verbal descriptor pain score was significantly higher in group M than in groups B 2 and B 4 for 3 postoperative days, but it was not different between groups B 2 and B 4. In group B 2, patients complained increased abdominal pain after removing catheters. Frequencies of supplementary analgesics were 3.7, 0.6 and 0.4 times in group M, B 2, B 4, respectively. Times to initiation of bowel movement after operation were 39.8, 46.5 and 61.7 hrs in group M, B 2, and B 4, respectively, and most patients in group B 4 felt uncomfortable. These results suggest that continuous epidural analgesia for 2 postoperative days is appropriate, but the duration should be determined according to patient's conditions and complications.