Interleukin 1 alpha acts as an autocrine growth stimulator for human gastric carcinoma cells

The expression and effect of interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha) were examined in human gastric carcinoma cell lines to determine if IL-1 alpha acts as a growth stimulator for these cells. Six of 8 gastric carcinoma cell lines expressed IL-1 alpha mRNA at various levels. Among them, TMK-1 and MKN-7 cells secreted IL-1 alpha into the culture fluid, in an especially large amount by MKN-7 cells. Scatchard plot analysis of IL-1 alpha binding revealed that TMK-1 cells had only one type of high-affinity receptors, whereas MKN-7 cells had high- and low-affinity receptors. Cell growth and DNA synthesis of TMK-1 and MKN-7 cells were stimulated by IL-1 alpha, and those of MKN-7 were inhibited by addition of anti-IL-1 alpha antibody or IL-1 receptor antagonist. The expression of IL-1 alpha mRNA by these cell lines was induced by either IL-1 alpha, epidermal growth factor, or transforming growth factor alpha. On the other hand, IL-1 alpha increased the mRNA expression for transforming growth factor alpha and epidermal growth factor receptor. These findings indicate that IL-1 alpha is an autocrine growth stimulator for gastric carcinoma cells and the interaction with epidermal growth factor/transforming growth factor alpha/receptor system should be involved in the growth modulation by IL-1 alpha.

Expression of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus polyhedrin in insect cells by using a baculovirus expression vector, and its assembly into polyhedra

A cDNA encoding the cytoplasmic polyhedrin of Bombyx mori cytoplasmic polyhedrosis virus (BmCPV) strain H was introduced into an improved baculovirus expression vector which can be utilized to express foreign genes in the Spodoptera frugiperda cell line IPLB-SF-21AE (Sf21 cells) and the B. mori cell line BmN. A recombinant virus produced large, cubic inclusion body-like structures in infected Sf21 and BmN cells. Western blot analysis showed that these structures were BmCPV polyhedra. This result suggested that the supramolecular assembly of BmCPV polyhedrin is responsible for its properties.

Frequency doubling of a Nd:YAG laser using a crystal-cored fiber of an organic 4-(N,N-dimethylamino)-3-acetamidonitrobenzene

Optical second-harmonic generation from a glass-clad fiber with an organic core crystal of 4-(N,Ndimethylamino)-3-acetamidonitrobenzene (DAN) is demonstrated. Phase matching was due to cerenkov radiation. Linear and nonlinear optical properties of DAN, a fabrication technique of a crystal-cored fiber, and a focusing method of the generated second-harmonic wave are studied.

Simple calculation of the electron-backscatter factor

The authors have studied the dependence of the electron-backscatter factor (EBF) on mean electron energy and on backscatterer atomic number by using the semiempirical depth-dose code EDMULT. A plane-parallel electron beam is assumed to be normally incident on a polystyrene slab, which is backed with a layer (backscatterer) of different materials of effectively semi-infinite thickness. A small air cavity to measure ionization is embedded in the polystyrene slab at the boundary facing the backscatterer. The EBF is defined as the ratio of the ionization with the backscatterer to the ionization with a full polystyrene medium, and is approximated by the ratio of the doses computed at the depth of the cavity. Values of EBF obtained show trends similar to the experimental data of Klevenhagen et al. [Phys. Med. Biol. 27, 263-373 (1982)], although the former are generally lower than the latter. When the typical energy spread of clinical electron beams is taken into account, the difference between the experimental and the calculated values is reduced. The present results also show the same trend of increase of the backscatter factor with increasing energy as observed by Klevenhagen et al. in some series of measurements for the lead backscatterer at the lowest energies. This is explained by the rapid buildup of the dose with depth for electrons of low initial energies incident on the full polystyrene medium.

Electron microscopic studies on the in vitro proliferation of spotted fever group rickettsia isolated in Japan

Rickettsia was isolated from a patient with Japanese spotted fever, and its proliferation in cultured green monkey kidney cells was observed by electron microscopy. In the course of this study, we observed fusion of infected cells to uninfected cells which may be a way of spreading the rickettsiae from a cell to another. On the other hand, whirlpool-like, multilayer membranous structures, similar to the mesosomes of gram-negative bacteria, were sometimes seen in the rickettsial cells. The other profiles common to the other rickettsiae in spotted fever group were observed, such as the electron-lucent halo zone around the rickettsiae, and external fibrous materials on their surface, but intranuclear multiplication was rarely observed.

Immunohistochemical study of tyrosine-hydroxylase-positive cells and fibers in the chicken spinal cord

Tyrosine hydroxylase (TH)-positive cells and fibers were examined by immunohistochemistry in the chick spinal cord. TH-positive cells, which were located in laminae I, V and X, were most frequently found in the rostral part of the cervical spinal cord, with fewer cells being found in more caudal levels of the spinal cord. TH-positive cells located in lamina X, which were bipolar in shape, were mainly found in regions lateral as well as just ventral to the central canal. They had processes reaching to the central canal. The terminals of these cerebrospinal-fluid-contacting cells were oval in shape, and were most frequently found at the ventral wall of the central canal. There were dense clusters of TH-positive fibers in lamina X. A meshwork-like structure of TH-positive fibers was found over the lateral wall of the central canal. A high density of TH-positive fibers was also found in the medial part of laminae V-VII. In lamina IX, small numbers of TH-positive fibers were observed in the lateral motor column of the brachial spinal cord, and in the medial and lateral motor columns of the lumbosacral spinal cord. However, within the medial motor column of the brachial spinal cord TH-positive fibers were densely distributed around somal as well as dendritic profiles. Similar to our previous observations on serotoninergic fibers. TH-positive fibers were also differentially distributed in the ventral horn of the chicken spinal cord: a high density of TH-positive fibers was localized to specific regions of the spinal motor nucleus.

Novel muteins of human tumor necrosis factor alpha

For chemical synthesis of a gene coding for human tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha), DNA sequence predicted by the amino acid sequence of human TNF molecule was prepared. Codons were chosen according to the codon usage in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The 490 bp gene was assembled by enzymic ligation of 42 oligonucleotides and was cloned into a vector (pKK223-3) for high expression of active TNF-alpha in E. coli. With use of site-directed mutagenesis on this DNA, five different muteins of TNF-alpha were synthesized. TNF-M1 and TNF-M4 have deletions of His-73 and Gln-102, respectively. These deletions didn't cause loss of the cytotoxic activity against L929 cells. TNF-M5, which has a substitution of Asp-10 to Arg, had the similar cytotoxic activity to that of TNF-alpha. The cytotoxic spectra against several tumor cells were not changed by this substitution. TNF-M3 has an amino acid substitution of Glu-116 to His which occupies this position in human TNF-beta. This substitution didn't change the cytotoxicity. In addition, evidence was presented that the change of the carboxyl terminal residue doesn't always influence the cytotoxic activity of TNF-alpha. Many different muteins were also isolated by random mutagenesis with hydroxylamine-HCl. One of the muteins, which carries a mutation of His-15 to Tyr, lost the cytotoxic activity almost completely.

Descending projections from the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus to the A5 area, including the superior salivatory nucleus, in the rat

The descending projection of the hypothalamic paraventricular nucleus (PVN) to the A5 area was elucidated using a technique that combines retrograde labeling with horseradish peroxidase (HRP), anterograde labeling with PHA-L (Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin and immunohistochemistry for dopamine-beta-hydroxylase (DBH). Following an iontophoretic injection of PHA-L into the PVN, HRP was applied to the greater petrosal nerve. Frozen sections of the hypothalamus and the caudal pons were first treated according to a protocol for HRP histochemistry using tetramethylbenzidine with cobalt-enhanced diaminobenzidine, and then they were processed for displaying PHA-L, and then for DBH immunohistochemistry. PHA-L labeled fibers from the PVN were observed in a ventrolateral part of the pontine reticular formation corresponding to the A5 area, where they give rise to a dense network around the cells of origin of the greater petrosal nerve (GPN cells) and DBH-positive cells. Terminals or varicosities labeled with PHA-L were preferentially observed around the somata of GPN cells, suggesting direct contact. However, apparent contact between both elements was hardly ever observed. On the other hand, terminals or varicosities were occasionally observed in close relation to DBH-positive cells. These results suggest that descending fibers of the PVN project more strongly to GPN cells than to DBH-positive cells. The relationship of this fiber pathway to control of the secretomotor or cardiovascular systems is discussed.

[A case of recurrent ovarian cancer markedly responding to daily oral administration of low dose etoposide]

A 67-year-old woman with recurrent ovarian cancer, who had carcinomatous peritonitis and large abdominal cystic lesions, was treated by daily oral etoposide at a dose of 50 mg/day for 21 consecutive days at 2-week intervals in the outpatient department. After 15 days of administration, the serum level of CA125 decreased from 2,220U/ml to 445U/ml, and that of LDH from 2,725 WU to 906 WU. After the third course of treatment, the abdominal cystic lesions were remarkably reduced, and the performance status improved grade 1 from 3 prior to the administration. No severe side effects except for alopecia and mild myelosuppression were noted during the 3-month treatment.

Immunity to measles in a large population of varying age. Significance with respect to vaccination

During a measles outbreak, 660 hospital employees of widely varying ages were screened for immunity to the disease using an automated indirect fluorescent antibody technique. Of these 660 employees, 623 indicated their year of birth; 21 were seronegative and 13 had borderline titers. Of those born before 1957, 7 tested seronegative and 6 were borderline, while 12 of those born between 1959 and 1964 were seronegative and 3 were borderline. There are several possible reasons for these findings. It is concluded that mass immunization of high-risk populations during outbreaks, while effective, is difficult to justify scientifically because only a small percentage of subjects are not immune. If facilities permit, mass screening during outbreaks may be feasible. Preferably, continuous screening and vaccination of susceptible high-risk employees could be performed. Our study also does not validate exclusion from immunization programs those born prior to 1957 in view of the fact that both seronegativity and disease occur in this age group with significant frequency.

[Severe aplastic anemia successfully treated with cyclosporin A and prednisolone]

A 7-year-old boy was admitted to our department complaining pale face and subcutaneous bleeding in August, 1987. Peripheral blood analysis showed pancytopenia of WBC 2,600/microliter, RBC 148 x 10(4)/microliter and platelets 5,000/microliter. Bone marrow biopsy revealed hypocellularity. Granulocytes 104/microliter, reticulocytes 4,290/microliter and platelets 5,000/microliter were compatible with the diagnosis of severe aplastic anemia based on the criteria of the Ministry of Public Welfare in Japan. Prednisolone (PDN) was initially indicated and bolus methylprednisolone, metenolone and ALG therapy followed with no hematological improvement. Fifteen months after admission, in addition to 0.5-1 mg/kg/day of metenolone, Cyclosporin A (CyA) was started at a dose of 12 mg/kg/day for a week and 6 mg/kg/day thereafter. After a week from administration of CyA, 1 mg/kg/day of PDN was given because his bleeding tendency became worse. But this combination was complicated with liver damage and hyperglycemia to discontinue both drugs. These adverse effects were subsided within 7 days by cessation of the drugs. CyA was started again at a dose of 6 mg/kg/day without any response for 4 weeks. Then PDN was added together at a reduced dose of 0.5-1 mg/kg/day. Hematological response was obtained promptly. Granulocytes reached 1,500/microliter, hemoglobin 10.2 g/dl and platelets 26,000/microliter after 3 months of therapy. Afterward the patient became transfusion independent. The most effective method of CyA administration for aplastic anemia is still controversial. Alternative use of CyA, considering combination of steroids or anabolic steroids, in patients who failed to respond to conventional immunosuppressive treatments should be further investigated.

[Study of reinduction chemotherapy in bone marrow relapse of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia]

Twenty children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) in relapse were treated with various combinations of anti-leukemic agents in approach to the induction of remission. Among them, the four-drug reinduction regimen consisting of prednisolone, vincristine, daunomycin and L-asparaginase (PVDA regimen) was found to be highly effective. The incidence of remission was 100% (2/2) for first reinduction. The regimen also proved to be effective in the management of multiple subsequent relapses. The rate of remission induction for second and third to fifth reinduction attempts were 60% (3/5) and 50% (4/8), respectively. The over all remission rate was 60%. The median duration of subsequent remission for the entire patients treated by PVDA regimen was short, only 11 weeks (range: 3 to 26 weeks). PVDA regimen was effective in reinduction of remission in childhood ALL with relapse, but was not effective in remission maintenance. Optimal maintenance therapy for subsequent remissions has to be determined.

Direct projection from the dorsal hypothalamic area to the nucleus raphe pallidus: a study using anterograde transport with Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin in the rat

A hypothalamic projection to the nucleus raphe pallidus of the medulla was examined using the anterograde tracing technique based on Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin (PHA-L) in the rat. After the iontophoretic application of PHA-L to the dorsal hypothalamic area, labeled fibers that finally ended in the nucleus raphe pallidus were observed descending through the most medial part of the ventral tegmental area and the nucleus reticularis tegmenti pointis to reach the medial aspect of the pyramid. Many varicose fibers forming a loose plexus were observed in the nucleus raphe pallidus, especially ventrally. The ventral surface of the pyramid and the most ventral region of the nucleus reticularis paragigantocellularis lateralis (PGCL) contained labeled varicose fibers. At the electron microscopic level, the labeled profiles in the nucleus raphe pallidus were small-sized unmyelinated axons and axon terminals. Labeled axon terminals containing spherical synaptic vesicles formed synapses on spine-like protrusions or small-sized dendritic shafts. These results strongly indicate that neurons in the dorsal hypothalamic area have a direct connection with neurons in the nucleus raphe pallidus and the ventral part of the PGCL. The possible involvement of this pathway in cardiovascular regulation was discussed.

[In vitro susceptibility of a strain of Rickettsia recently isolated from a case of Japanese spotted fever to chemotherapeutic agents]

The in vitro susceptibilities to five chemotherapeutic agents against a rickettsial strain which was isolated from a case of Japanese spotted fever were determined by cell culture system. Minocycline was the most effective (MIC, 0.15 micrograms/ml) followed by Tetracycline and Demethylchlor tetracycline (0.31 micrograms/ml 0.16 micrograms/ml). Chloramphenicol was less effective (5 micrograms/ml) and Aminobenzyl-penicillin was not effective with the MIC of 10 micrograms/ml or less. Thus, the earlier administration of Minocycline is recommended to clinically suspicious cases of Japanese spotted fever as well as Tsutsugamushi disease.

Ultrastructural features of functionally identified primary afferent neurons with C (unmyelinated) fibers of the guinea pig: classification of dorsal root ganglion cell type with reference to sensory modality

Intracellular labeling of neurons permitted a direct correlation of neuronal profiles with sensory modality of cutaneous receptors. In the guinea pig, 47 neurons in the dorsal root ganglion (displaying C-fiber conduction velocities) were labeled with horseradish peroxidase (HRP) by iontophoresis after determining the sensory modality. Receptive field were explored with systematic "natural" stimuli. Cell areas of all C-fiber units were measured by tracing the cellular contour in light microscopy. The mean cellular diameter calculated from cell areas was 21.8 microns in the second cervical ganglion of the guinea pig. Mean cell diameter for high-threshold mechanoreceptors was 20.9 microns, 24.6 microns for polymodal nociceptors, and 25.7 microns for mechanical-cold nociceptors. Electron microscopic observations showed that all labeled neurons of C-fiber units had profiles of small, dark type-B neurons. Neurons representative of each sensory modality exhibited different cell features, each belonging to a distinct subtype of small B neurons. High-threshold mechanoreceptor and mechanical-cold nociceptor displayed a peripheral lamellar arrangement of cisternae of endoplasmic reticulum (ER), corresponding to the B1 subtype. Polymodal nociceptor units were characteristically of the B2 subtype, in which stacks of long and short cisternae of ER were distributed randomly throughout the cytoplasm, and the arrangement of Golgi bodies varied among these cells. Cooling receptors displayed poorly developed, flattened cisternae of ER and numerous vesicles, typical of the B3 subtype. These results imply that all C-fiber cells belong to the small B-type cell category and that the ultrastructural features of the neuron in the dorsal root ganglion may reflect the sensory modality of the receptive field.

Ultrastructural study on the meninx of the goldfish brain

The cranial meninges of the goldfish were studied by means of transmission electron microscopy combined with the freeze-fracturing technique. The goldfish has three cranial meninges. The outer layer consists of flattened cells, which are stratified in 3 to 7 layers and are packed densely with many interdigitations of cell processes. The constituent cells in the outer layer have copious smooth endoplasmic reticulum and are joined by gap junctions but have no desmosomes. The intermediate layer is thin, continuous, and single cell. In the replicas, both the upper and the lower surfaces of the intermediate layer cells have numerous openings of pinocytotic vesicles, but the upper surface is characterized by round gap junctions, whereas the lower surface is identified by a linear continuation of a combination of tight junctions and gap junctions and by desmosomes. The lateral surface has a hexagonal network of tight junctions and gap junctions with internally located desmosomes, which functions as a barrier to intercellular movement of lanthanum. The inner layer consists of a meshwork of reticular cells and large intercellular spaces, in which fine granular material, capillaries, and different types of blood-derived free cells can be found. Cells in the inner layer contain rough endoplasmic reticulum stacked in lamellae and have irregular processes joined by desmosomes. The goldfish meninges are compared with the meninges of mammals.

In situ morphology of the heart and great vessels in fetal and newborn rats

Morphology of the cardiac chambers and great vessels of fetal and neonatal rats was studied using the whole body freezing technique and by sectioning through the short axis of the heart with a freezing microtome. Compared to the fetal heart, the neonatal heart showed rapid change 2 to 8 days after birth. The ventricular sinus septum was straight in the fetus and became concave to the left ventricle after birth. The right ventricular wall was as thick as the left in the fetus and became thinner rapidly after birth. At the same time, the right ventricular cavity dilated. The right and left pulmonary arteries and pulmonary veins were small in the fetus and enlarged soon after birth. At the same time, the foramen ovale was closed and the diameters of the inferior vena cava and descending aorta were diminished. One-half-mm thick sections were cut serially and then photographed. Ventricular volumes and masses were calculated from summation of the areas of each chambers. Left ventricular mass per body weight increased rapidly after birth, whereas right ventricular mass per body weight remained constant from 0 to 8 days after birth.

Gallium-67 myocardial imaging for the detection of myocarditis in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease (mucocutaneous lymph node syndrome): the usefulness of single photon emission computed tomography

Myocardial imaging with gallium-67 citrate was used to detect myocarditis in 46 consecutive infants and children (31 boys and 15 girls, mean age 21 months) with Kawasaki disease. In all of them planar imaging (group A) was performed at 6 hours and at 48 or 72 hours after the intravenous administration of a mean (SD) dose of gallium-67 citrate (0.07 (0.02) mCi/kg). Thirty four patients (24 boys and 10 girls, mean age 21 months) also had single photon emission computed tomography imaging (group B) soon after planar imaging. The patients had been ill for from 5 days to 16 days (mean (SD) 10.5 (2.4) days in group A and 10.6 (3.0) days in group B). The colour images obtained at 48 or 72 hours were positive in 41% of group A and in 64% of group B. Among the patients with clinically suspected myocarditis, 63% in group A and 80% in group B had positive myocardial images. Single photon emission computed tomography imaging permitted the identification of tracer in the myocardium, the pericardium only, or in the heart chambers. Myocardial imaging with gallium-67 citrate, especially when used with single photon emission computed tomography imaging, is useful for the detection of myocarditis in the acute phase of Kawasaki disease.

The terminal distribution pattern of spinocerebellar fibers. An anterograde labelling study in the posthatching chick

The terminal fields of spinocerebellar fibers from different levels (cervical, thoracic and lumbar) of the spinal cord in the chick were determined by using wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP), an anterograde labelling technique. More terminals were found in the anterior lobe than in the posterior lobe. Following injections in the lumbar spinal cord, mossy fiber terminals were found mostly in the anterior lobe (lobules I-V). The highest density of labelled terminals was found in lobule I, and labelled terminals were found in all parts of the lobule. However in lobules II-IV, labelled fibers were mediolaterally arranged in three longitudinal strips on both sides of the midline, and formed a distinct zonal distribution pattern. Labelled terminals were distributed evenly from the apical to basal regions of lobules I-V. A large number of mossy fiber terminals originating from the thoracic spinal cord were located in the anterior lobe and lobule VI; some labelled terminals were found in lobule IX. Three less distinct longitudinal strips, compared to those following WGA-HRP injections in the lumbar spinal cord, were recognized on each side of the midline. Labelled mossy terminals were observed in lobules II-IX following WGA-HRP injections in the cervical spinal cord. In transverse sections two longitudinal strips were found at the apical parts of lobules II and III, whereas four thin longitudinal strips were located in lobules IV and V. The present study showed that the terminal fields of spinocerebellar fibers from each level of the spinal cord have different distribution patterns.

The topographical organization of neurons in the dorsal hypothalamic area that project to the spinal cord or to the nucleus raphé pallidus in the rat

The present study was undertaken using retrograde labeling techniques to clarify whether the neurons in the dorsal hypothalamic area (DHA) that project to the spinal cord are the same as those that project to the nucleus raphé pallidus (NRP). Following an injection of wheat germ agglutinin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) in the NRP many labeled small neurons (6-13 X 9-22 microns) with an oval shape were found in the ventromedial part of the DHA. At the level of the dorsomedial hypothalamic nucleus, they formed a distinct and compact cell cluster. Labeled neurons, which were large in size (9-22 X 11-36 microns) with oval and triangular shapes, were found mainly in the dorsolateral part of the DHA after injections of horseradish peroxidase (HRP) in the spinal cord. In a double-labeling experiment, Fast Blue or True Blue, and Nuclear Yellow were injected in the NRP and in the spinal cord, respectively. A large number of blue-fluorescent neurons were located mostly in the ventromedial part of the DHA, while yellow-fluorescent ones were found in the dorsolateral part of the DHA. However, no double-labeled neurons were found in the DHA. These results show that the neurons of the DHA projecting to the NRP are essentially different from those which project to the spinal cord.

A new expression of pharmacological activity, ET63

We studied the response time of drugs in relation to the feedback mechanism in animals. The time from drug administration to onset of loss and recovery of righting reflex or death by hexobarbital in mice were measured at several dose levels and it was demonstrate that in every case the time (t)- response rate (R) function could be expressed as: (formula: see text) These parameters could be obtain by use of only a small number of animals at every dose level. The result suggests that the pharmacological activity of not only pure drugs but also of commercial chemicals with fixed standard of purity and concentrations may be expressed by the parameter t63 transposed as ET63. t63: time when cummulative response rate reaches 63%. t1: latency.

RNA polymerase II transcription terminates at a specific DNA sequence in a HeLa cell-free reaction

Recently, we identified a specific DNA sequence from the gastrin gene that regulates RNA polymerase II transcription termination in vivo. In the studies presented here, we examined the processing and termination activity of this sequence in vitro. When present in an in vitro synthesized RNA, this sequence (U9A2U5AU4AU4AU5) does not serve as an RNA processing signal on incubation with HeLa whole-cell extract. However, transcription of template DNA in HeLa whole-cell extract does terminate near the 5' end of this sequence. Nuclease S1 and exonuclease VII mapping of the 3' region of the in vitro synthesized RNAs confirm these results. The termination activity of the sequence A9T2A5TA4TA4TA5 is independent of the distance from the promoter and of the nature of the DNA template (linear vs. circular). The termination activity of the sequence shows a strong orientation dependence. These results strongly suggest that the termination activity of this cis-acting element is modulated by a trans-acting cellular factor. The unique structural feature of this sequence, a 10.5-base-pair inverted repeat, may determine the specificity of interaction of the trans-acting factor with the cis-acting element, resulting in accurate termination of transcription.

A specific DNA sequence controls termination of transcription in the gastrin gene

We located and characterized a downstream transcriptional regulatory element in the human gastrin gene by transferring the gastrin gene 3' fragment, from which the polyadenylation signal sequence was deleted, into the shuttle vector pSCAT10 at a site located immediately downstream from the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase (CAT) gene and upstream from the simian virus 40 polyadenylation region. Study of CAT RNA derived from the hybrid plasmids, indicated regulation of transcription on the gastrin gene fragment. Analysis of deletion mutants generated from the 5' region of the fragment by CAT assay and by S1 nuclease mapping of mRNAs indicated the possible involvement of an oligothymidylate-rich sequence in transcription regulation. Mapping of gastrin gene RNA 3' ends to the 5' side proximal to the oligothymidylate-rich sequence clearly demonstrated that this sequence is a transcriptional terminator element. This unique sequence, interspersed with one or two adenines, which also functions in an orientation-dependent manner, is located 192 nucleotides downstream from the gastrin gene polyadenylation site, and serves as a transcriptional termination signal.

[Clinical evaluation of sisomicin following intravenous drip infusion in respiratory tract infections]

The efficacy, safety and utility of sisomicin (SISO) followed intravenous infusion were evaluated in 35 cases with various respiratory infections. For many cases, SISO was given at a daily dosage of 100 mg, and a single dose was infused over about 1 hour. Clinical efficacy was evaluable in 28 cases including pneumonia (14 cases), bronchitis (8 cases), bronchiectasis (4 cases), pulmonary suppuration (1 case) and pulmonary abscess plus pyothorax (1 case). Almost cases had diagnosis of serious infection associated with various diseases. Clinical efficacy was evaluated as "excellent" in 2 cases, "good" in 15 cases, "fair" in 5 cases and "poor" in 6 cases, and efficacy rate in total case was 60.7%. Efficacy rate stratified by disease was calculated as 57.1% in pneumonia, 87.5% in bronchitis, 50.0% in bronchiectasis. Responses against pulmonary suppuration or pulmonary abscess with pyothorax were little or not. Bacteriologically, organisms isolated from sputum cleared in 7 out of 15 evaluable cases, thus the responses rate was 46.7%. Adverse reaction probably due to treatment observed in 2 cases with hepatic dysfunction. Blood levels of SISO at the end of infusion were ranged from 2.1 to 6.4 micrograms/ml, and no tendency of accumulation in blood after repeated infusion was showed.

Expression of srnB gene of F plasmid by altered RNA polymerase in Escherichia coli

Degradation of otherwise stable rRNA and tRNA takes place in the presence of rifampin, dependent on the F plasmid srnB gene. We have reported that a protein newly synthesized in the presence of rifampin might be a product of the srnB gene required for stable RNA degradation (Ito, R. and Ohnishi, Y. (1983) Biochim. Biophys. Acta 739, 27-34). Here we have further studied the mechanism of srnB expression. Among eighteen mutants with altered RNA polymerase, two (TJ2470 (rpoC4) and TJ302 (rpoC56)) showed RNA degradation at high temperature (42 degrees C) when the srnB gene was present. Labeling proteins at 42 degrees C in strain TJ2470 indicated that a protein of molecular weight 12 000 was a product of the srnB gene, and that expression of the srnB gene provoked RNA degradation. Using plasmid pTK4, in which the srnB gene is inserted downstream of the promoter of lacZ, lac promoter-dependent expression of the srnB gene, with production of the putative protein product, also induced RNA degradation at 42 degrees C, with no requirement for added rifampin or altered RNA polymerase. RNA degradation in these conditions was quite similar to that in the case of the addition of rifampin; e.g., it showed some responses to Mg2+, temperature and RNAase I content of the cells. Expression of the srnB gene dependent on lac promoter was also observed in minicells. Thus, it is inferred that the srnB gene is probably repressed under normal conditions with its own promoter; its expression initiates RNA turnover.

The Technicon RA-1000 evaluated for measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide

We evaluated the Technicon RA-1000 "random-access" analyzer for the measurements of sodium, potassium, and carbon dioxide by an indirect potentiometric method (ion-selective electrode) and for chloride by a colorimetric method (mercuric thiocyanate). For various concentrations of control materials the total precision (CV) ranged from 0.9 to 1.2% for sodium, 1.1 to 1.3% for potassium, 1.0 to 1.2% for chloride, and 2.8 to 3.8% for carbon dioxide. The system demonstrated acceptable performance in linearity and carryover. Patients' results from the RA-1000 correlated well with those from the Beckman ASTRA-8. In a study on potential interferences, we found that high concentrations of salicylate and bromide significantly affected measurements of carbon dioxide and chloride, respectively. The RA-1000 requires only 30 microL of sample for all four tests and it offers a high throughout (30 specimens analyzed for the four tests in 25 min). This precise, easy-to-use, random-access analyzer requires minimal maintenance.

The Technicon RA-1000 evaluated for measuring sodium, potassium, chloride, and carbon dioxide

We evaluated the Technicon RA-1000 "random-access" analyzer for the measurements of sodium, potassium, and carbon dioxide by an indirect potentiometric method (ion-selective electrode) and for chloride by a colorimetric method (mercuric thiocyanate). For various concentrations of control materials the total precision (CV) ranged from 0.9 to 1.2% for sodium, 1.1 to 1.3% for potassium, 1.0 to 1.2% for chloride, and 2.8 to 3.8% for carbon dioxide. The system demonstrated acceptable performance in linearity and carryover. Patients' results from the RA-1000 correlated well with those from the Beckman ASTRA-8. In a study on potential interferences, we found that high concentrations of salicylate and bromide significantly affected measurements of carbon dioxide and chloride, respectively. The RA-1000 requires only 30 microL of sample for all four tests and it offers a high throughout (30 specimens analyzed for the four tests in 25 min). This precise, easy-to-use, random-access analyzer requires minimal maintenance.

Structural analysis of the gene encoding human gastrin: the large intron contains an Alu sequence

We have isolated a human gastrin gene from a genomic library by employing a human gastrin cDNA clone as a hybridization probe. The total length of the gene is approximately 4.0 kilobase pairs, and the gene is separated into three exons and two introns. A 130-base-pair intron interrupts the coding region and a 3.0-kilobase-pair intron is located in the 5' untranslated region. Nucleotide sequence analysis showed that all of the exon-intron boundaries follow the A-G/G-T consensus sequences. A putative transcription initiation site is assigned to the adenine 60 nucleotides upstream from the exon-intron junction on the basis of S1 nuclease protection mapping. A possible "TATA" equivalent sequence T-T-A-T-A-A is located 28 base pairs upstream from the transcription initiation site. A "CAT box" sequence, C-A-T-T, is located 99 nucleotides upstream of the transcription initiation site. A poly(A)-addition signal, A-A-U-A-A-A, is located 80 base pairs downstream from the termination codon. Comparison of the nucleotide sequences of the human cDNA and the genomic clone revealed that the aspartic acid codon at position 71 of preprogastrin is interrupted by the small intron (130 base pairs). The 3' region of the large intron contains a sequence of 300 nucleotides that is flanked by 15-nucleotide direct repeats. This sequence exhibits a striking homology to the human Alu-type sequence.

Development of the axon cap neuropil of the Mauthner cell in the goldfish

Development of the axon cap neuropil of the Mauthner neuron in post-hatching larval goldfish brains was observed electron-microscopically. The axonal initial segment of newly hatched (day-4) larvae is completely covered with synaptic terminals containing clear spherical synaptic vesicles. Profiles of thin terminal axons, the spiral fibers, containing similar synaptic vesicles, rapidly increase in number around the initial segment and form glomerular neuropil similar to the central core of the adult axon cap by day 7. Three types of synapses are formed in the core neuropil. Bouton-type synapses contacting the initial segment are most abundant in day-4 to -14 larvae; they decrease thereafter and are rare on the distal half of the initial segment of day-40 larvae. Asymmetric axo-axonic synapses are commonly observed between spiral fibers in the core neuropil of day-7 to -19 larvae, but become fewer by day 40. Unique symmetrical axo-axonic synapses showing accumulation of synaptic vesicles on either side of apposed membrane thickenings first appear in day-14 core neuropil, gradually increase in number, and become the predominant type in day-40 core neuropil. Thick myelinated axons, which lose their myelin sheaths in the glial cap cell layer, start to penetrate into the axon cap on day 10. They gradually increase in number and form the peripheral part of the axon cap together with the cap dendrites, which finally grow into the axon cap from the axon hillock region of the Mauthner cell by day 40.

Chemical and clinical evaluation of the random access analyzer "RA-1000"

In the RA-1000, a random-access discrete analyzer, an inert fluorocarbon fluid is used to prevent interaction and carryover. Production-model instruments were evaluated in two laboratories with respect to determination of glucose, creatinine, total protein, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. Within-run, among-run, and day-to-day (for 15 days) precision was assessed, and results were correlated with those obtained by the methods routinely in use in our departments. Precision was excellent, correlation acceptable.

[Biology of cancer cell-stroma interaction in carcinogenesis and cancer progression]

Cancer cells are dependent on physical and chemical supports of stroma no less than non-cancerous cells and tissues are. The role of stroma should, therefore, be important in genesis and progression of cancers growing in vivo. But this aspect underlying carcinogenesis and manifestation of human cancers has long been neglected or attracted less attention in the investigations of oncology. Focusing particular attention on parenchyma-stromal interaction in gastrointestinal mucosa, the authors have found that, quite unexpectedly, in normal gastric as well as intestinal mucosa of all the animal species so for studied, vascularity is always poorly developed in the generative cell zones. Cross-sectional area of vascular bed is markedly reduced in this zone. Application of Hagen-Poiseulle law revealed that the reduced total cross-sectional area, resulting in a rapid drop in hydrostatic pressure, creates here a situation particularly favorable for proliferating cell population. Since the transport of water soluble material together with tissue fluid through the capillary wall is driven by the hydrostatic pressure, the generative cell zones are found to be present at the site where the turnover of the material is the most active. Before the zone of the rapid pressure drop, there appears zone of relatively high intravascular hydrostatic pressure, where secretory function seems to be facilitated. This zone, as is well known, corresponds to glandular portion of the mucosa. After the zone of the rapid pressure drop (in surface of the mucosa), zone of a low intravascular hydrostatic pressure appears, where absorptive function is to be facilitated. Within such zones, in gastric mucosa surface epithelium and in intestinal mucosa absorptive villi cells are located. It is likely that architecture of gastrointestinal epithelium and vascular pattern in the stroma is closely correlated and that the former is determined, at least partly, by the latter. When human gastric mucosa shows intestinal metaplasia, the vascular pattern is always of the type of intestine. Investigating causal relationship of the changes in vascular pattern and epithelial metaplasia, we found that, in human gastric mucosa, vascular architecture began to shift to the intestinal pattern, though not complete, when incipient changes of chronic gastritis became manifest. This is peculiar to human gastric mucosa and thought to be species specific characteristics of mucosal stroma in human stomach.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)

Chemical and clinical evaluation of the random access analyzer "RA-1000"

In the RA-1000, a random-access discrete analyzer, an inert fluorocarbon fluid is used to prevent interaction and carryover. Production-model instruments were evaluated in two laboratories with respect to determination of glucose, creatinine, total protein, inorganic phosphorus, cholesterol, alkaline phosphatase, lactate dehydrogenase, creatine kinase, gamma-glutamyltransferase, and aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. Within-run, among-run, and day-to-day (for 15 days) precision was assessed, and results were correlated with those obtained by the methods routinely in use in our departments. Precision was excellent, correlation acceptable.

A two-generation study of human sex-ratio variation

We report here the first vertical population study of human sex-ratio variation. Sex-ratio data for 2 generations from Akita, Japan, have been analyzed. Parental age, birth order, sequences of the sexes at birth, and generations have no statistically significant effect on sex ratio. There is a slight excess of males at birth, as is typical for human sex-ratio studies. There is evidence of sex-ratio-dependent family planning. An analysis of vertical transmission of sex-ratio modifying factors that excludes effects of birth order in both the parental and offspring generations has detected a marginally significant paternal effect. Genetic variability of the sex ratio, if present at all, is of a very minor magnitude.

The roles of RNA polymerase and RNAase I in stable RNA degradation in Escherichia coli carrying the srnB+ gene

In Escherichia coli cells carrying the srnB+ gene of the F plasmid, rifampin, added at 42 degrees C, induces the extensive rapid degradation of the usually stable cellular RNA (Ohnishi, Y., (1975) Science 187, 257-258; Ohnishi, Y., Iguma, H., Ono, T., Nagaishi, H. and Clark, A.J. (1977) J. Bacteriol. 132, 784-789). We have studied further the necessity for rifampin and for high temperature in this degradation. Streptolydigin, another inhibitor of RNA polymerase, did not induce the RNA degradation. Moreover, the stable RNA of some strains in which RNA polymerase is temperature-sensitive did not degrade at the restrictive temperature in the absence of rifampin. These data suggest that rifampin has an essential role in the RNA degradation, possibly by the modification of RNA polymerase function. A protein (Mr 12 000) newly synthesized at 42 degrees C in the presence of rifampin appeared to be the product of the srnB+ gene that promoted the RNA degradation. In a mutant deficient in RNAase I, the extent of the RNA degradation induced by rifampin was greatly reduced. RNAase activity of cell-free crude extract from the RNA-degraded cells was temperature-dependent. The RNAase was purified as RNAase I in DEAE-cellulose column chromatography and Sephadex G-100 gel filtration. Both in vivo and with purified RNAase I, a shift of the incubation mixture from 42 to 30 degrees C, or the addition of Mg2+ ions, stopped the RNA degradation. Thus, an effect on RNA polymerase seems to initiate the expression of the srnB+ gene and the activation of RNAase I, which is then responsible for the RNA degradation of E. coli cells carrying the srnB+ gene.

Assaying plasma prekallikrein (PPK) by a chromogenic based method: analytical considerations and reference values in healthy adults, the pregnant woman, and the neonate

Analytical assays that measure the amidolytic activity of plasma kallikrein (PK) must overcome the problem of anti-kallikrein inhibition during the activation of PPK to PK. We resolved this problem by exposure of plasma to 50 mg/L dextran sulfate in acetone/water (35/65, vol/vol) at 0 degrees C for 15 minutes. PK activity was assayed using the chromogenic substrate, S-2302 (KABI). A centrifugal analyzer (CentrifiChem) was used to monitor the change in absorbance at 405 nm and 37 degrees C. The assay was linear to a value 3 times that found in normal human plasma. The specificity of the substrate for PK was demonstrated by using plasma deficient in PPK (Fletcher trait) diluted with normal human pooled plasma (NHPP). Day-to-day analytical variation was 2.4% for NHPP having a mean value of 85.9 mukat/L (n = 26). Using our amidolytic method, we determined PPK values in 50 healthy adults, 80 pregnant women during each trimester of gestation, and 151 neonates (cord blood specimens). The middle 95% reference interval for the adults was 54.0 - 118.8 mukat/L, for pregnant women at first trimester: 59.0 - 129.0, second trimester: 72.3 - 161.5, third trimester: 75.6 - 152.4, day of labor: 67.7 - 144.9, and 1-9 weeks postpartum: 69.4 - 151.0 mukat/L, and for the neonate: 11.5 - 44.9 mukat/L. We observed that women on oral contraceptives had significantly greater PPK values than those not on oral contraceptives. Intra-individual variation of PPK values was relatively low in non-pregnant women with the day-to-day coefficient of variation being 4.1 - 6.1% in 5 subjects monitored over a 30 day period. The high value of inter-individual/intra-individual ratio was appreciated in pregnant women in that the PPK value observed during the first trimester was a means to predict the value approaching term. The mean PPK value during the first trimester was 105.1% of the mean seen in non-pregnant women while the mean PPK value nearing term was 130.1% of that value.