Correlation between lack of bone Gla protein mRNA expression in rat transplantable osteosarcomas and expression of both c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogenes

Alkaline phosphatase (AP) activity and expression of bone Gla protein (BGP), c-fos, and c-jun were compared in two transplantable osteosarcomas with high potentials for metastasis to the lung. The original spontaneous osteosarcoma (SOS) gradually became histologically undifferentiated, losing its osteogenic activity during serial transfer, whereas the chemical (4-hydroxyaminoquinoline 1-oxide)-induced osteosarcoma (COS) retained osteogenesis. The two osteosarcomas showed similar doubling times and levels of lung metastasis, and strong AP activity was detected on the cell membranes of both. Northern blot analysis revealed that lack of BGP mRNA expression was associated with expression of both c-fos and c-jun proto-oncogenes in SOS. In contrast, neither c-fos nor c-jun mRNAs were detected but BGP mRNA was expressed in the case of COS. These results suggest that the c-fos and c-jun genes may suppress the expression of BGP mRNA relevant to differentiation and osteoid formation in rat osteosarcomas. However, this does not appear to be directly related to proliferative or metastatic biological behavior.

Aflatoxin contamination in foods and foodstuffs in Tokyo: 1986-1990

Aflatoxins were determined in 3054 samples of foods or foodstuffs, including cereals, nuts, beans, spices, dairy products, dry fruits, and edible oil. Samples were collected in Tokyo from 1986 to 1990. Aflatoxins were found in rice products, adlay, corn, crude sugar, peanut products, pistachio nuts, brazil nuts, sesame products, butter beans, white pepper, red pepper, paprika, nutmeg, and mixed spices. The highest incidence of aflatoxin contamination was observed in nutmeg (80%), and the highest level of aflatoxin B1 was observed in pistachio nuts (1382 ppb).

Fate of odontoblasts and blood capillaries in the incisal region of the rat incisor pulp

Transmission electron microscopy of thin sections of the rat incisor pulp revealed that in the middle region of the incisor there were fenestrated capillaries in the "predentinal plexus" and that this region contained the tallest odontoblasts. The odontoblasts gradually became shortened in the incisal part of this region; the fenestrated capillaries in the predentinal plexus changed to continuous type capillaries. Almost all the odontoblasts had degenerated near the incisal end of the tooth. The predentinal plexus disappeared in this region, but the "subodontoblastic capillary plexus" persisted. In a specific region just beneath the worn incisal end, numerous macrophages and polymorphonuclear neutrophils appeared and scavenged the degenerating cells, possibly including the odontoblasts.

Changes in intracellular cAMP level and activities of adenylcyclase and phosphodiesterase during meiosis of lily microsporocytes

In the yeasts, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Schyzosaccharomyces pombe, reduction of intracellular cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) is known to trigger the sporulation processes by activating various meiosis specific genes. In order to ascertain whether a similar mechanism is operative in higher plants, we carried out preliminary studies on lily microsporocytes. Measurement of cAMP levels as well as the activities of adenyl cyclase and phosphodiesterase in somatic cells and different stages of meiosis, and arrest of its in protoplasts cultured under conditions of high cAMP provided direct evidence that similar phenomena occur in plant meiocytes as earlier documented in yeasts.

Incomplete rotator cuff tears. Results of operative treatment

Thirty-eight shoulders of 36 patients with incomplete rotator cuff tears surgically repaired were evaluated, with an average follow-up period of 4.9 years. The average age at operation was 52.2 years. Three types of incomplete tears were identified: superficial (12 shoulders), intratendinous (three), and deep surface tears (23). Full-thickness cuff involving the lesion was resected and repaired by side-to-side suture (13 shoulders), side-to-bone suture (eight), fascial patch grafting (16), or side-to-bone suture with fascial patch grafting (one). The overall results were satisfactory in 31 shoulders (82%). The results were not affected by the tear types, operative methods, or follow-up period. The patients with poor results were associated with major complications other than rotator cuff tears or with insufficient resection of the damaged cuff. When the full-thickness cuff involving the lesion is completely resected and repaired, long-term satisfactory results can be anticipated in a high percentage of patients regardless of tear types.

Osteogenesis associated with bone gla protein gene expression in diffusion chambers by bone marrow cells with demineralized bone matrix

Diffusion chambers with rat bone marrow cells and demineralized bone matrix (DBM) were implanted subcutaneously to syngeneic 8-week-old rats and were harvested every week 3-7 weeks after implantation, and histochemical examination, determination of alkaline phosphatase activity, total calcium and phosphorus, the bone-specific vitamin K-dependent gla-containing protein (BGP) content, and detection of BGP mRNA relative to mineralization were performed. Alkaline phosphatase in diffusion chamber implants reached the highest activity at 4 weeks and then decreased. Calcium and phosphorus deposits occurred at 4 weeks after implantation and were followed by marked increases until 7 weeks, which was comparable to the accumulation of BGP. The BGP gene within the diffusion chambers began to be expressed at 5 weeks, and its expression increased markedly at 7 weeks after implantation. At 4-5 weeks after implantation, new bone adjacent to the membrane filters and cartilage toward the center of the diffusion chamber were observed histochemically. Light microscopic and immunohistologic examinations of chambers with marrow cells and DBM revealed production of mineralized matrices, typical of bone characterized by the appearance of BGP and mineralized nodules. In contrast, bone marrow cells alone did not show extensive bone formation and yielded very low values for these biochemical parameters. The present experiments demonstrate the potential of bone marrow cells and DBM to produce not only cartilage formation but also membranous bone formation associated with increasing expression of BGP mRNA during the later stages of bone formation, as well as a marked accumulation of BGP.

Rotator cuff tears in anterior dislocation of the shoulder

We diagnosed 16 rotator cuff tears in 109 shoulders in 104 patients with a traumatic anterior dislocation. Twelve of these were followed up for an average of 32 months. A surgical repair of the cuff was carried out in eleven and the results were satisfactory in eight (73%) regardless of a Bankart lesion. The repair of a torn cuff seems to be sufficient to stabilise the shoulder in elderly patients, even when a Bankart lesion is present and is not repaired.

Properties of yeast debranching enzyme and its specificity toward branched cyclodextrins

Debranching enzyme was purified from Saccharomyces cerevisiae by DEAE-cellulose, omega-aminobutyl agarose and hydroxyapatite column chromatography. The activity of the eluent was monitored by the iodine-staining method which detects both the direct and indirect debranching enzymes. The elution profiles at every step showed a single peak with no shoulder. The crude and the purified enzyme preparations gave a single activity band with the same mobility on PAGE. The crude product produced 80% glucose compared to reducing sugar from glycogen-phosphorylase-limited dextrin while the partially purified and purified preparations produced 100% glucose. The activity of the purified enzyme was characterized and compared with that of the rabbit muscle enzyme by using various branched cyclodextrins as substrates. Both enzymes hydrolyzed 6-O-alpha-D-glucosyl cyclodextrins to glucose and cyclodextrins, but did not act on 6-O-alpha-maltosyl cyclomaltoheptaose. The yeast enzyme gave rise to glucose as a sole reducing sugar from 6-O-alpha-maltotriosyl cyclomaltoheptaose and 6-O-alpha-maltotetraosyl cyclomaltoheptaose, indicating that maltosyl and maltotriosyl transfers, respectively, had occurred, prior to the action of amylo-1,6-glucosidase. 6-O-alpha-D-Glucosyl cyclomaltoheptaose and 6-O-alpha-D-glucosyl cyclomalto-octaose, respectively, were better substrates than glycogen-phosphorylase-limited dextrin for the yeast and muscle enzymes. The yeast enzyme released glucose at a similar rate from 6-O-alpha-maltotriosyl cyclomaltoheptaose as from 6-O-alpha-maltotetraosyl cyclomaltoheptaose, but considerably lower rates than that from limit dextrin. The yeast debranching enzyme appears to be exclusively oligo-1,4----1,4-glucantransferase-amylo-1,6-glucosidase and does not have isoamylase.

Absorptive-mediated endocytosis of an adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue, ebiratide, into the blood-brain barrier: studies with monolayers of primary cultured bovine brain capillary endothelial cells

The internalization of a neuromodulatory adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analogue, [125I]ebiratide (H-Met(O2)-Glu[125I]His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe-NH(CH2)2NH2), was examined in cultured monolayers of bovine brain capillary endothelial cells (BCEC). HPLC analysis of the incubation solution showed that [125I]ebiratide was not metabolized during the incubation with BCEC. The acid-resistant binding of [125I]ebiratide to BCEC increased with time for 120 min and showed a significant dependence on temperature and medium osmolarity. Pretreatment of BCEC with dansylcadaverine or phenylarsine oxide, endocytosis inhibitors, and 2,4-dinitrophenol, a metabolic inhibitor, decreased significantly the acid-resistant binding of [125I]ebiratide. The acid-resistant binding of [125I]ebiratide was saturable in the presence of unlabeled ebiratide (100 nM-1 mM). The maximal internalization capacity (Bmax) at 30 min was 7.96 +/- 3.27 pmol/mg of protein with a half-saturation constant (Kd) of 15.9 +/- 6.4 microM. The acid-resistant binding was inhibited by basic peptides such as poly-L-lysine, protamine, histone, and ACTH but was not inhibited by poly-L-glutamic acid, insulin, or transferrin. These results confirmed that ebiratide is transported through the blood-brain barrier via an absorptive-mediated endocytosis.

Range of motion and arthrography in the frozen shoulder

The relationship between the range of motion and the arthrographic measurements were assessed in 91 patients with frozen shoulders. Range of motion was recorded in flexion, abduction, external rotation, and internal rotation. On the arthrogram the following parameters were measured: depth of the axillary pouch, width of the anterior ballooning, extent of the subscapularis bursa, filling of the biceps tendon sheath, and the irregularity of the capsular outline in the anteroposterior view. Both the subscapularis bursa and the biceps tendon sheath were also assessed in the scapular Y view. There were mild correlations between external rotation and the anterior ballooning and between internal rotation and the axillary pouch, but the coefficient of determination (r-square) in each correlation was small. No significant correlation was observed between flexion or abduction and any of the arthrographic measurements. Although these arthrographic findings are characteristic to frozen shoulders, none of them is a good predictor of the severity of restricted motion.

Conservative treatment of rotator cuff tears

Among 124 shoulders in 114 patients with complete rotator cuff tears who had been treated conservatively from 1980 until 1989, 62 shoulders in 54 patients were observed to identify the findings on initial examinations and correlate them with the final results. The follow-up period averaged 3.4 years. According to modified criteria of Wolfgang, 51 shoulders in 45 patients (82%) rates satisfactory (excellent or good). The overall scores of pain, motion, and function improved significantly. The results were less satisfactory in patients observed more than six years. The patients with satisfactory results (Group 1) and unsatisfactory results (Group 2) among those observed more than five years were compared. In Group 1, the scores of pain, motion, and strength improved significantly at follow-up examinations, whereas those of function did not. In Group 2, no improvement was recognized in any categories. The only significant differences in the initial findings between the two groups were the active abduction angle and the abduction strength: the patients in Group 1 retained a good range of motion and strength, whereas those with unsatisfactory results had a limited range and muscle weakness on first examinations. Conservative treatment affords satisfactory results when it is given to the patients with well-preserved motion and strength, although in some cases function may deteriorate with time.

Evidence for increased in vitro recombination with insertion of human hepatitis B virus DNA

Chromosomal translocation, deletion, and inversion/duplication directly linked to hepatitis B virus (HBV) DNA integration occur frequently in host DNA of human hepatocellular carcinomas. To test the possible recombinogenic effect of HBV DNA, we have utilized an in vitro recombination assay. Fragments containing the region spanning DR1, which is believed to be the origin of viral replication and a preferred site in the viral genome for integration, increased the recombination events reproducibly in the presence of extracts from actively dividing cells (e.g., hepatocellular carcinoma) but not resting cells (e.g., normal liver). Moreover, in these extracts we have found a protein(s) that specifically binds to these HBV DNA fragments. These results support the notion that in some instances integrated HBV DNAs cause further genomic instability, possibly involving specific cellular protein(s). The fact that extracts from nondividing, normal liver did not increase recombination events suggests that genomic instability depends upon active cellular growth, a feature more commonly found subsequent to HBV-induced hepatocellular injury than in healthy liver. Our results offer an explanation for the high incidence of liver cancer that accompanies chronic hepatitis and add HBV to the list of agents that can cause genetic recombination.

Tumor thrombus and microvascular invasion as prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma

The significance of two types of vascular invasion (macroscopic tumor thrombus into the renal vein or vena cava inferior and microvascular invasion) as prognostic factors in renal cell carcinoma is analyzed in 121 patients treated at the Department of Urology, Nara Medical University. The data indicate there to be close correlations between tumor thrombus, microvascular invasion and distant metastasis. In patients with tumor thrombus, however, the prognosis is not as poor when surgical removal of the tumor thrombus is successfully performed as when it is not. In contrast, the prognosis of patients with positive microvascular invasion is significantly worse than that of those with a negative finding. Microvascular invasion appears to be a significant prognostic factor in renal cell carcinoma in addition to well-known factors such as tumor stage, tumor grade, tumor thrombus and distant metastasis. To detect microvascular invasion, the histological examination should be extended to give as much detail as possible.

Transport mechanism of a new behaviorally highly potent adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analog, ebiratide, through the blood-brain barrier

The binding and internalization of a novel adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) analog having a potent neuromodulating effect, ebiratide (H-Met(O2)-Glu-His-Phe-D-Lys-Phe-NH(CH2)8NH2), by isolated bovine brain capillaries, were examined. Metabolism of [5-125I-His]ebiratide occurred during a 30-min incubation with bovine brain capillaries at 37 degrees C. In the presence of 20 mM EDTA, added to inhibit this metabolism, the medium, after 30 min of incubation, contained 82.3 +/- 0.5% of the unchanged ebiratide. The total binding and acid-resistant binding of [125I]ebiratide increased with time and reached an equilibrium at about 15 min. The total binding and acid-resistant binding at 30 min (as the cell/medium ratios corrected with [14C]sucrose) were 13.07 +/- 0.86 and 5.00 +/- 0.18 microliters/mg of protein, respectively. The acid-resistant binding showed significant dependence on temperature and medium osmolarity. The [125I]ebiratide binding was significantly inhibited by dansylcadaverine, an endocytosis inhibitor. The saturable acid-resistant binding was obtained by the addition of unlabeled ebiratide (100 nM-5 mM), and the maximal internalization capacity (Bmax) at 30 min was 144.2 pmol/mg of protein, with the half-saturation constant (KD) of 62.1 microM. The nonsaturable acid-resistant binding [cell/medium ratio in the presence of the unlabeled compound (1 mM or more)] was 2.2 microliters/mg of protein. The acid-resistant binding was significantly inhibited by human ACTH, poly-L-lysine, protamine and E-2078, a basic peptide, but was not inhibited by poly-L-glutamate, insulin or transferrin. These results demonstrate that ebiratide is transported through the blood-brain barrier via a basic peptide-specific absorptive-mediated endocytosis.

[Chemotherapy of prostatic cancer]

CDDP combined chemotherapy was performed in 55 cases out of 229 prostatic cancer patients who were treated in Nara Medical University and Nara Prefectural Nara Hospital between January 1979 and August 1989. The previously untreated 33 patients received chemotherapy with anti-androgen treatment as an initial treatment, as well as 7 cases of unresponsive to antiandrogen treatment, 14 relapsing cases and one case with recurrence after total prostatectomy. The major regimens of chemotherapy were cis-diammine dichloroplatinum (CDDP) alone in 16 cases, PVB regimen (bleomycin or peplomycin + vincristine + CDDP) in 19 cases, and CAP regimen (cyclophosphamide + adriamycin + CDDP) in 16 cases. Complete response was not achieved or partial response was observed in 20 cases (34%), no change was seen in 20 cases (34%), and progression was seen in 19 cases (32%). Among each evaluable lesion, effects (CR + PR) were observed in 40% in the prostate, in 18% in the bone lesions, in 44% in the soft tissue lesions, and in 42% in the prostatic tumor marker. The 7-year survival rate of the chemotherapy group (35.6%) was better than that of the antiandrogen treatment group (26.6%) in stage D patients, but was not significant statistically When evaluated by the regimen, a partial response was observed in 56% of CDDP alone, in 21% of PVB regimen, and in 38% of the CAP regimen. However, there was no significant difference in survival rate among the regimens. As an adverse effect, myelosuppression and renal toxicity seemed to be dose limiting factors of CDDP combined chemotherapy for advanced prostatic cancer patients.

HIV-EP2, a new member of the gene family encoding the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 enhancer-binding protein. Comparison with HIV-EP1/PRDII-BF1/MBP-1

At least two different types of proteins, NF-kappa B/KBF1 and HIV-EP1/PRDII-BF1/MBP-1, which are members of a family of rel oncoproteins and metal-finger proteins, respectively, bind to the human immunodeficiency virus type (HIV-1) enhancer. As a new member of a HIV-EP1 family that is expressed at a high level in T cells, we have isolated cDNA clones of HIV-EP2 by cross-hybridization with HIV-EP1 cDNA. HIV-EP2 protein consists of 1,833 amino acids and has a molecular weight of 211,000. HIV-EP2 protein is highly homologous with HIV-EP1/PRDII-BF1/MBP-1 in three regions. These three regions contain the potential nuclear localization signal followed by a Ser/Thr-rich region, the DNA-binding domain consisting of a metal-finger structure, and a cluster of acidic amino acids. The DNA-binding property of HIV-EP2 was similar to that of HIV-EP1. Northern blot analysis of HIV-EP2 mRNA indicated relatively high expression in the T cell line Molt-4 and in some tumor cell lines. Furthermore, like HIV-EP1, expression of HIV-EP2 mRNA was greatly induced by mitogen and phorbol ester treatment of Jurkat T cells, suggesting that HIV-EP2 acts in HIV production from latently infected T cells.

Brain transfer of a new neuromodulating ACTH analog, ebiratide, in rats

The transfer of ebiratide into the brain was examined in rats. Its brain levels after intravenous administration (2-20 mg/kg), determined by radioimmunoassay, peaked at 5 min and declined almost in parallel with the plasma levels. Brain/plasma ratios (B/P) were constantly about 0.05 ml/g at all doses. Brain distribution study at 5 min after 125I-ebiratide at an effective dose (0.4 microgram/kg) revealed that unchanged ebiratide had larger B/P than the metabolites and region selectivity. The combined use with unlabeled ebiratide resulted in marked decreases in B/P, particularly in the hippocampus, suggesting a specific uptake of this peptide.

Determination of felodipine and its metabolites in plasma using capillary gas chromatography with electron-capture detection and their identification by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

A novel method for the determination of felodipine and its metabolites in plasma by capillary gas chromatography (GC) with electron capture detection was developed. Felodipine and its oxidized metabolite were assayed by capillary GC after solid-phase extraction with the aid of a cool on-column injection technique. Acid metabolites, methyl monoacid and ethyl monoacid and diacid, were extracted with diethyl ether and propylated with 1-n-propyl-3-p-tolyltriazene before being submitted to capillary GC. These methods were very sensitive and useful for the pharmacokinetic study of felodipine. Felodipine and its metabolites were identified by GC-mass spectrometry. The mass spectral patterns of the peaks of extracts from human plasma samples after oral administration of felodipine were in good agreement with those of reference compounds.

Studies on Fe complexes produced by yeast. V. Role of the ligand in Fe absorption from an Fe(II)-oligosaccharide complex

The role of the ligand (oligosaccharide) of an Fe(II) complex (B1-c) produced in wine by Saccharomyces cerevisiae in gastrointestinal Fe absorption was examined. B1-c was found to consist of Fe(II) and an oligosaccharide having the composition of Ara: Xyl: Man: Glc: GalUA (1:1:1:5:1), and the sequence of these constituent monosaccharides was presumed by means of partial hydrolysis of B1-c with glycosidases and a diluted acid. The physicochemical comparison of the partially hydrolyzed, Fe(II)-containing products (Fe-containing fragments) obtained by glycosidase treatment indicated that the Man and GalUA residues of the ligand should be essential for stabilization of the complex form at the physiological pH in the digestive tract. The intestinal Fe absorption in vivo showed marked differences among the Fe-containing fragments having different ligands (sugar chains). Furthermore, the inhibitory effects of the Fe-containing fragments on B1-c uptake by brush border membrane vesicles of the small intestine varied with the ligand, probably being related to the composition of the sugar chain. These results suggest that the sugar chain of the ligand of B1-c may be involved, through its coordination with Fe(II), in (i) high stability and Fe solubility of B1-c at the physiological pH in the digestive tract and (ii) recognition of B1-c molecules in its transport system on the intestinal brush border membrane and, thereby, may contribute to excellent intestinal Fe absorption from B1-c.

Rapid conversion of the new angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor ramipril to its active metabolite in rats

The rate of conversion of ramipril (Hoe 498), a new angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor, to its active metabolite was compared with that of enalapril. After intravenous administration to rats, ramipril was very rapidly deesterified to its active moiety, ramiprilat. The ratio of the active metabolite level to the prodrug level in plasma at 5 min after administration was 10.7 for ramipril, which was about 5 times the ratio for enalapril. The in vitro conversion rates of ramipril were higher than those of enalapril in all rat tissue homogenates examined, including the liver, a main site of metabolism. The apparent Km values of ramipril and enalapril in the liver were 190 and 710 mumol/l, respectively, suggesting that ramipril has a higher affinity for esterase than enalapril. In conclusion, ramipril was superior to enalapril in efficiency of conversion to the active metabolite.

[Epidemiological and therapeutic study on gonorrheal infection--study on NY-198 (lomefloxacin) single administration therapy. Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD]

The efficacy of single administration of NY-198 in the treatment of gonococcal infections was studied employing male patients with gonorrheal urethritis and female patients with gonorrheal cervicitis. The clinical efficacy was evaluated on the basis of the efficacy rates which was estimated on each observation day for each patient. In the male patients, NY-198 was administered in a dose of 200 mg in 25 cases and a dose of 400 mg in 65 cases. The rate of eradication of N. gonorrhoeae (i.e. efficacy) on the 3rd day of administration was 96% in the 200 mg administration group and 100% in the 400 mg administration group. On the 7th day after administration, the eradication rate was 100% in both the 200 mg and 400 mg administration groups. When the eradication rate on the 7th day was statistically estimated for patients who returned to the hospital only on the 3rd day, it was 97.9% in the 200 mg administration group. In the female patients, NY-198 was administered in a dose of 200 mg to 4 cases and a dose of 400 mg to 5 cases. The eradication rate on each observation day was 100% in both dosage groups. In conclusion, single administration of NY-198 in a dose of 200 mg or 400 mg was highly effective, and considered to be a therapeutic method highly useful clinically.

ATP-independent strand transfer protein from murine spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa

A protein-catalyzing D-loop formation is present in murine spermatocytes, spermatids, and spermatozoa, but is not found in somatic tissue or in premeiotic cells of the germline. Unlike the Escherichia coli RecA protein and the meiotic rec protein (m-rec) previously described, D-loop formation by this protein (referred to as "mAi-rec") does not require ATP. The meiotic profile of mAi-rec activity is only partly similar to that of m-rec. Like m-rec, it rises steeply during early prophase and reaches a peak at pachytene. Unlike m-rec, its activity remains high during the postmeiotic phase of spermatid development and is prominent in immunochemically stained spermatozoa. A polyclonal antibody to E. coli RecA reacts with mAi-rec and inhibits its activity. No such reaction occurs with m-rec protein. The extent of sequence homology between E. coli RecA and murine mAi-rec is highly limited; none of the several monoclonal antibodies tested reacted with mAi-rec.

Purification of DNA ligases from mouse testis and their behavior during meiosis

Two types of DNA ligase, I and II, have been purified approximately 4,000-fold from mouse testes and 500-fold from nuclei of mouse spermatocytes. DNA ligase I and II consisted of single polypeptides with molecular weights of 95,000 and 65,000, respectively, according to the estimation by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and the AMP-binding assay. Ligase activities were higher in premeiotic spermatogonia and spermatocytes than those in liver and bone marrow cells. Moreover, DNA ligase II showed rapid increase during meiotic prophase and a decrease in round spermatids. Since this behavior of DNA ligase II is consistent with that of m-rec and DNA polymerase beta, both of which have been shown to be involved in DNA recombination in meiotic cells, DNA ligase II might be an enzyme which works at the final step of meiotic recombination reaction.

[A case of alder (Alnus sieboldiana) pollinosis and its prevalence among the residents of a densely forested area]

The first patient with alder (Alnus sieboldiana Matsumura) pollinosis in Japan visited our clinic in April 1987. The patient was a 54 year old housewife who had lived in Kobe at the foot of Mt. Rokko since 1972, and had been suffering from the pollinosis for three years. In 1988, prevalence studies of A. sieboldiana in densely planted area close to the patient's house were performed using pollen count, immunological examinations and a population survey by questionnaire. A remarkably high prevalence rate of the pollinosis was demonstrated.

[Ganglioneuroma of the adrenal gland: report of a case]

A 38-year-old man was referred to our clinic with the complaint of upper abdominal discomfort. Ultrasonography and computerized tomography showed a mass occupying the left retroperitoneal space. Endoclinological results were within the normal range except for 17-OHCS and 17-KS. Preoperative diagnosis was left non-functioning adrenal tumor. Exploration was done via transperitoneal approach. The specimen weighed 100 g and was 11 x 6 x 5 cm in size. Histopathological diagnosis was ganglioneuroma of the left adrenal gland. There have been 35 reported cases with ganglioneuroma of the adrenal gland including our case in the Japanese literature and we reviewed the pathogenesis and treatment of this rare disease.

Plant saponins can affect DNA recombination in cultured mammalian cells

Some plant extracts and products are known to affect mammalian cells, tissues and organisms as they contain a toxic substance or a metabolic stimulant. Our biochemical investigations revealed that some plant saponins can increase the cellular DNA repair activity and the general recombinase activity measured by in vitro assay (1). In the experiments described here, HeLa cells were cultured for several days with plant saponins or flavonoids and analyzed to measure i) recombination activity of the cell extract by induction of Tcr colonies from two mutant DNAs (mutants 1 and 2, which are both tetracycline sensitive) after transformation into E. coli recA-, and ii) repair synthesis of nuclear DNA followed by incorporation of 3H-thymidine. Saikosaponins a, b1, d, ginsenosides Rb1, Re, Rh and flavonoid baicalin caused a significant stimulation of intermolecular recombination. It is worth noting that none of the plant saponins and flavonoids had any inhibitory or toxic effect at concentrations less than 25 micrograms/ml in the culture media.

Pharmacokinetic study of cefodizime in experimentally infected animals

Cefodizime, a new cephem antibiotic, was intravenously injected to mice with systemic or urinary tract infection by Escherichia coli and those with respiratory infection by Streptococcus pneumoniae, and the time courses of the plasma and tissue cefodizime levels were determined and compared with those in healthy mice (control group). In mice with systemic infection, the drug level in the plasma, liver, kidneys and lung changed on the basis of the two-compartment model. In this group, disappearance of the drug from plasma and tissues was obviously delayed and decrease in elimination constant (KE) and increase in the apparent volume of distribution (V2) were noted as compared with the control group. In the group with respiratory infection, T1/2(beta) and AUC for the hepatic drug level and T1/2(beta) for the renal drug level increased but in the other organs there was no great difference from the control group. In the urinary tract infection group, T1/2(beta) and AUC in the kidneys (infected site) and liver that mainly participate in elimination of cefodizime considerably increased differently from the control group. Changes of the distribution volume seemed to correspond with a physiological change of increase in body water content in the peripheral tissues (muscle, etc.) of the systemic infection group and in the liver, kidneys, etc. of the urinary tract infection group. Regarding the protein binding ratio, the urinary tract infection group showed a significant decrease as compared with the control group, but no distinct difference was noted in systemic and respiratory infections.

Sequence determination and characterization of the replicator region in the tumor-inducing plasmid pTiB6S3

The replicator region of the 195-kilobase-pair (kb) tumor-inducing plasmid pTiB6S3 was previously identified by isolation of a 6.8-kb miniplasmid (B.P. Koekman, P.J.J. Hooykaas, and R.A. Schilperoort, Plasmid 7:119-132, 1982). This miniplasmid was joined to ColE1-based vectors and subjected to mutagenesis. The resulting mutant plasmids were examined for their ability to replicate autonomously in Agrobacterium tumefaciens. It was found that a 4.2-kb region was sufficient for displaying replication characteristics similar to those of the parental pTiB6S3. Nucleotide sequence analysis of this 4.2-kb region revealed the presence of three possible reading frames in the same direction (repA, repB, and repC). Proteins coded for by these frames were identified by in vitro synthesis in a coupled transcription-translation system. The replicating ability became attenuated by repA and repB mutations but was completely abolished by repC mutations. The size, arrangement, and mutational effects of the three rep genes were quite similar to those of the rep genes that were previously identified in the hairy root-inducing plasmid pRiA4b. However, defects caused by rep mutations in one plasmid were unable to be complemented by corresponding functions in the other plasmid.

Studies on Fe complexes produced by yeast. IV. Mechanism of Fe transport from an Fe(II)-oligosaccharide complex across the mucosal membrane of the rat intestine

The mechanism of Fe transport across the rat duodenal membrane from an Fe(II)-oligosaccharide complex (designated B1-c) produced in wine by yeast and showing high hematopoietic activity in rats was examined. The Fe uptake from B1-c by brush border membrane (BBM) vesicles isolated from the rat intestine was based mainly on the Fe binding to membrane components which were suggested to be inside the vesicles. Evidence that Fe was transported into the vesicles by a special transport system other than simple diffusion was obtained by observing saturation kinetics under conditions of isotope exchange, and temperature and pH dependence. This Fe uptake was not inhibited by any metal ions tested, including inorganic Fe(II), and the BBM vesicles from the duodenum had a higher Fe uptake than those from the other parts of the small intestine. Furthermore, the BBM vesicles isolated from rats with Fe deficiency showed a significantly increased Fe uptake. The Km value for B1-c uptake was 0.16 mM, lower than the values for FeSO4 and ferrous ascorbate. These results suggest that a special transport system selective for B1-c may be present on the mucosal membrane. B1-c was taken up by the BBM vesicles in the form of Fe-oligosaccharide complex. From the preloaded vesicles, B1-c was released temperature- and pH-dependently.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Construction of an ordered cosmid collection of the Escherichia coli K-12 W3110 chromosome

A cosmid library of the Escherichia coli K-12 W3110 chromosome was constructed in which clones were assigned to locations on the chromosome map by hybridization and genetic marker complementation tests. Approximately 70% of the genome was represented by this library. The identified clones can be maintained in the homologous system and would facilitate genetic studies of E. coli.

The effect of temperature on recombination activity in testes of rodents

An extractable enzyme system capable of catalyzing recombination in vitro was described in murine spermatocytes [Hotta et al. (1985) Chromosoma 93, 140-151]. The system is specific to meiosis, its activity increasing 400-fold between the premeiotic S-phase and mid-pachytene. The present study examines the effect of temperature on this system since the elevation of testicular temperature is one of the major factors causing impairment of testicular function. A strong depression of in vitro recombination activity occurred immediately after raising the testicular temperature in vivo by translocating the testes into the abdominal cavity (cryptorchid). The in vitro study also showed that the extract from spermatocytes preferred lower temperatures (30-32 degrees C) than somatic cells (37 degrees C) for maximal activity of recombination. These results suggest that the strong depression of recombination activity may be an important factor which causes degeneration of testes by heat.

[A clinical study of genital herpes and the clinical efficacy of acyclovir tablets]

A clinical study for genital herpes was conducted on 154 patients and the efficacy of treatment with oral acyclovir was investigated in 51 of these patients. The diagnosis was confirmed by direct immunofluorescence or viral isolation from the lesion. This disease has increased in both males and females in recent years and was found in 2.3-2.9% of the out-patients examined in 1986. Seventy percent of the patients were between 20 and 30 years old. About 70% of the male patients had phimosis. In patients with the first infection, bilateral eruption (62%) and lymphadenopathy (54%) were more common than unilateral lesions. However, in those with recurrent infection, unilateral eruption (72%) and lymphadenopathy (52%) were more common. Sixty two percent of those with the first infection had scattered eruption on external genitalia, but 71% with recurrent infection, had lesions concentrated in several areas. Local symptoms such as pain in the external genitalia (male: female, 16%: 85%), pain in the lower extremities (26%: 45%), discomfort in the lower extremities (20%: 41%) and systemic symptoms such as malaise (22%: 48%) and anorexia (4%: 35%) were seen more frequently in females than in males. In addition, systemic symptoms such as fever (first episode: recurrent episode, 36%: 4%), malaise (34%: 9%) and anorexia (18%: 2%) were seen more frequently in patients with the first episode than in those with recurrence. HSV type 1 infections were found in 16% of males and 28% of females with the first episode, but were less common in the recurrent episode, 0% and 13%, respectively. Direct immunofluorescence was positive in 75 (59%) of 128 samples diagnosed by viral isolation. Treatment with oral acyclovir tablets, 200 mg five times daily, was very effective in 26 of 30 patients (87%). No side effects were observed. In this study, acyclovir tablet has been shown to be a very effective and well-tolerated treatment for genital herpes infections.

[Removal of intra-atrial tumor thrombus of renal cell carcinoma: report of a case]

A case of left renal cell carcinoma with a tumor thrombus extending into the vena cava and the right atrium is reported. A 49-year-old female presented with a one month history of palpitation, dyspnea, and leg edema. CT-scanning and angiography revealed a left renal tumor with a tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium. Left nephrectomy and the removal of an intra-atrial tumor thrombus were performed under cardiopulmonary bypass. The postoperative course was unfavorable and the patient died on the 42nd day after the operation because of multiple organ failure in spite of repeated hemoperfusion. Operative procedure and prognosis of renal cell carcinoma with tumor thrombus extending into the right atrium are discussed.

[Epidemiological and therapeutic studies on gonococcal infections--one shot therapy by spectinomycin--[Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD]]

From January through March of 1985, the Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD treated 69 cases of gonococcal infections (61 cases of male gonococcal urethritis and 8 cases of female gonococcal cervicitis) at its facilities in Sapporo City. The therapeutic efficacy of one shot therapy of Spectinomycin (SPCM) was investigated, and an epidemiological study on the cases and bacteriological studies on the isolated strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae were made. The male patients were between 19 and 55 years old, with a peak age distribution in the younger half of the twenties. The female patients were between 18 and 40 years old. The major source of infections was a so-called special massage parlor which accounted for 36.1% of male cases. The isolation rate of PPNG were 16.7% (11/66). The MIC (inoculum size; 10(6) CFU/ml) of SPCM ranged from 3.13 to 25 micrograms/ml regardless of beta-lactamase production. In male patients, the eradication rate (efficacy rate) of N. gonorrhoeae by SPCM was 94.7% on the first day, 93.6% on the third day and 100% on the seventh day after 2 g one shot therapy. In female patients, the rate was 100% on the third and seventh day after 2 g one shot therapy, and 75% on the first day, 66.7% on third day and 100% on seventh day after 4 g one shot therapy. We considered that one shot therapy of SPCM was effective for gonococcal infection also in the present time. Especially SPCM was effective for infections by PPNG, since it was not resolved by beta-lactamase of N. gonorrhoeae. Positive rate of Chlamydia trachomatis was 16.3% in male gonococcal urethritis, and the serous discharge tended to remain longer in the positive patients than in the negative patients. There was only one side effect (1.4%), therefore SPCM was recognized to be a safely administrated antimicrobial agent.

General recombination in meiosis

The meiotic events of homologous pairing and chiasma formation are apparently related to a number of meiotic processes. These include a delayed replication of small portion of genome (zygoDNA). L-protein, present transitionally in meiotic S-phase and leptotene, can bind to the specific sequences of zygo DNAs to form a nick and selectively suppress their replication until zygotene. Other meiosis specific proteins (R-protein, U-protein, rec A-like protein (m-rec) probably related with pairing and recombination but none of these, either alone or combination, is capable of inducing recombination in vitro. We have isolated proteins from meiotic and somatic cells that are capable of recombining two DNA plasmids in vitro. They have been designated m-recombinase and s-recombinase, respectively. m-recombinase appears during meiotic prophase with or without chiasma-formation, suggesting that regulation of meiotic recombination depends, not on the formation of appropriate enzymes but on rendering the enzymes effective by altering chromatin-structure. s-recombinase activity seems to be related to cell division and/or cell differentiation. The assay system used here for necessary recombination may be applicable to various situations.

[Epidemiologic and therapeutic study on gonococcal infections--clinical efficacy of norfloxacin]

We studied the basic and clinical effects of norfloxacin (NFLX) in 120 patients with gonococcal infections (110 men with urethritis and 10 women with cervicitis)--all residents at Sapporo City; and epidemiologically analyzed the sources of their infections. The male patients were between 16 and 67 years old and the female patients were between 20 and 61 years old, with a peak in the early 20s both for sexes. 70.6% of the male patients in their 10s were infected from their girl friends or so-called pick-up friends and 50% of the female patients from their husbands. The other half of the female were workers serving at so-called special massage parlors. The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) of NFLX against N. gonorrhoeae distributed was 0.0125 approximately 3.13 micrograms/ml, with a peak at 0.025 micrograms/ml. NFLX inhibited 93.3% of the clinical strains of this species at less than 0.1 microgram/ml and 96.2% at less than 1 microgram/ml, where the inoculation was 10(6) CFU/ml. Twenty one (20.2%) of the 104 N. gonorrhoeae strains were penicillinase-producing one (PPNG). NFLX inhibited 18 of these PPNG (85.7%) at less than 0.1 microgram/ml and the other 3 strains at 1.56 approximately 3.13 micrograms/ml. Oral administration of 200 mg NFLX showed the average peak serum level of 0.72 micrograms/microliter in 2 hours and the average peak level in the urethral secretions of 0.5 micrograms/ml in one hour. These two concentrations of NFLX covered 95.2% of the MIC distribution against N. gonorrhoeae. The clinical efficacy of 600 mg NFLX (peros) was 97.4 and 93.1% for a 3-and 7-day treatment for male urethritis; and 100% for both 3-and 7-day treatment for female cervicitis. Complicated urethritis with C. trachomatis was noticed in 32.7% of the male urethritis and in 20% of the female cervicitis cases. Urethral secretions among about half of these patients were observed even after treatment with NFLX. As a subsequent treatment, another effective chemotherapeutic is required against C. trachomatis. No adverse reactions were detected with NFLX. All the above results demonstrate that NFLX is a highly effective and safe chemotherapeutic agent for treatment of gonorrhoea.

[Epidemiological and therapeutic studies on gonorrheal infections--clinical efficacy of T-2588. (Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD)]

T-2588, a new oral cephalosporin antibiotic, for gonorrheal infections, was administered to 146 patients with gonorrheal infection cases (140 urethritis cases in males, 6 cervicitis cases in females). Twenty three strains (20.9%) out of 110 clinically isolated gonococci were PPNG. The MICs of T-2588 for the clinically isolated gonococci strains showed a distribution peak at 0.025 microgram/ml and ranged between 0.0125 microgram/ml to 0.1 microgram/ml when an inoculum size of 10(6)/CFU/ml was used. The distribution of MICs of PPNG also showed a peak at 0.025 microgram/ml and the maximum MIC was 0.2 microgram/ml, which is one dilution tube higher than the maximum MIC of non-PPNG. The rate of complication by Chlamydia trachomatis was 20.9% in male and 33.3% in female. At the dose of 400 mg given 2 times a day, the efficacy rate for the males on the 3rd and 7th day was 90.5% (efficacy rate against PPNG, 73.3%) and 95.3% (80.0%), respectively. At the dose of 300 mg given 3 times a day, it was 93.3% and 100%, respectively, and at the dose of 600 mg given 3 times a day, it was 100% and 100%, respectively. Therefore, the administration of T-2588 3 times a day resulted in a higher efficacy rate than that given 2 times a day. This effect was extremely marked in the case of patients with PPNG. The best clinical results were obtained at a daily dose of 600 mg t.i.d. Although the female patients were few, in number and no conclusion can be drawn, the best results were obtained with a daily dose of 600 mg t.i.d. (100%). There were three mild side effects (1.7%), which could not be attributed to the administration of T-2588 in the present study. In conclusion, T-2588 can be to be expected sufficiently clinically effective against gonorrheal infections, including PPNG, at a daily dose of 600 mg t.i.d. for 3 days.

[Therapeutic studies on chronic prostatitis--use of AT-2266--Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD]

AT-2266 is a new antibiotic of the pyridone carboxylic acid class which possesses a broad, low-MIC antibacterial spectrum. Therapeutic studies were carried out on the use of this drug in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, and at the same time a pathological analysis was performed on chronic prostatitis. The subjects were 97 chronic prostatitis patients for whom the prostate fluid had been confirmed to contain at least 30 leukocytes per 400-power magnification field. An analysis of the background factors revealed that 71% of these patients had a past history of gonorrheal or non-gonorrheal urethritis. Culture of the prostate fluid yielded gram-positive cocci (S. epidermidis in most cases) in 44.1% of the patients. E. coli was detected in 3.2% of the patients, while the remaining cases gave negative cultures. In 53.9% of the patients who had not been receiving therapy prior to inclusion in this study, the subjective symptoms consisted of urethral irritation or irritation upon urination. In the other patients, the relationship of the complaints to the disease could not be clearly established. In the patients who had been receiving therapy, the majority did not complain of subjective symptoms. AT-2266 was administered in a daily dosage of 600 mg (in 3 divided doses) for 14 days. The therapeutic efficacy was evaluated. At the end of 7 days of AT-2266 therapy, 15.5% of the previously-untreated group and 8% of the previously-treated group were "excellent" cases, and the efficacy rate was 32.8% and 36%, respectively, when the "good" cases were also included. At the end of the full 14 days of therapy, the corresponding efficacy rates were 21.7% and 17.4%, and 54.3% and 56.5%. Considerable improvement was achieved in the subjective symptoms of urethral irritation and irritation upon urination at the end of 7 days of therapy, and the improvement was even greater following the next 7 days of treatment. With regard to the complaints for which the relationship to the disease could not be clearly established, however, the improvement was not very good: there was not much difference between the results on the 7th and 14th days, and the elimination rate even after 14 days was slightly below 30%. In the previously-untreated patients, improvement in leukocyte count in the prostate fluid to 10 or fewer cells per microscopic field was achieved in 15.6% at 7 days and 21.7% at 14 days. As side effects of AT-2266, mild symptoms were observed to occur in only 1.8% of the patients.

[Therapeutic studies on male non-gonorrheal urethritis--use of AT-2266--Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD]

AT-2266 tablets were administered orally in a daily dosage of 600 mg for 7 consecutive days as treatment of non-gonorrheal urethritis in 106 cases. The therapeutic results in 90 cases were investigated, and a detailed analysis of various background factors was also performed. Most of the patients were between 15 and 35 years old; 11.3% of the patients were between 15 and 19 years old. The source of infection was a "professional" woman such as a prostitute in 37 cases, and a non-professional woman in 53 cases. This is noteworthy because the source is more often a "professional" women in the case of gonorrhea. Bacterial isolates were obtained by culture of the urethral secretions. Most were gram-positive cocci, especially S. epidermidis, but, in 51.7% of the patients, no bacteria could be cultured. The urethral secretion was purulent in 51.9% of the patients, and serous in the remaining 48.1%. The efficacy rates obtained when AT-2266 was administered in a daily dosage of 600 mg (in 3 divided oral doses) for 7 days were as follows. In the purulent secretion group, the 3-day and 7-day therapeutic efficacy (elimination of the secretion) rates were 24.2% and 61.2%. In the serous secretion group, the corresponding efficacy rates were 36% and 71.4%. Thus the therapeutic efficacy was slightly inferior in the purulent secretion group. Oral administration of AT-2266 resulted in side effects in 5 of the patients (5.5%). These side effects consisted primarily of mild gastrointestinal disturbances, which did not require discontinued drug administration.

[Epidemiologic and therapeutic studies on gonorrheal infections--use of AT-2266--Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD]

From August of 1982 through February of 1983, the Sapporo Clinical Research Group for STD treated 131 cases of male gonorrheal urethritis at its affiliated clinical facilities in Sapporo City. The therapeutic efficacy of AT-2266 was investigated, together with an epidemiological study on the cases and bacteriological studies on the isolated strains of gonococcus. In addition, a few cases of female gonorrheal cervicitis were treated, and the therapeutic results for 3 of these cases evaluated. AT-2266 was administered at a daily dosage of 600 mg in one dose to 14 patients, 2 doses to 10 patients and 3 doses to 98 patients. At the end of 3 days of this therapy, the gonococci had been eliminated in all of the cases, but there was variation in the status of disappearance of the secretion. The "excellent" efficacy rates for these three regimens were thus 7.7%, 50% and 57%, respectively. These results showed that administration of the total dosage in two or more divided doses maintained higher minimum concentrations of the antibiotic in the blood and the urine, and were thus more clinically beneficial than when the dosage was given as one daily dose. Of the patients who were treated with 600 mg/day of AT-2266 in 3 divided doses, 93 were evaluated for the therapeutic efficacy. At the end of 3 days 57.0% were "excellent" cases, 39.8% were "good" cases and 3.2% were "fair" cases, and at the end of 7 days of therapy, 67 patients were 74.6% "excellent" cases, 23.9% were "good" cases and 1.5% were "fair" cases. The clinical efficacy rate was thus quite high. Those cases in which the secretion and leukocytes had not disappeared from the urine even at the end of the 7 days of therapy were probably cases of mixed infection involving Chlamydia, etc. Eight of the 77 gonococcal isolates (10.4%) were beta-lactamase producers. The MIC of AT-2266 hardly differed with the size of the bacterial inoculum. With an inoculum of 10(6)CFU/ml, the MIC distribution showed two peaks, i.e., at 0.05-0.2 micrograms/ml and 3.16-12.5 micrograms/ml. Only 11.7% of the strains were found to have high MICs. The distribution of these high MICs was found to be unrelated to the ability to produce beta-lactamase. Mild side effects of AT-2266 were seen in 2 out of 128 patients. (1.6%), an extremely low incidence.