Chemical analysis of transuranium nuclides in the uranium solution of the JCO criticality accident

Atom numbers of 239Np and 239Pu, which had been produced by the neutron capture reaction of 238U in the uranium solution of the JCO criticality accident at Tokai-mura, Japan, were determined precisely by a radiochemical method. It was found that the measured atom ratio of 239Np/239Pu at termination of the criticality depends sensitively on the history of the neutron capture reaction during the accident (about 20-hours continuance). The history was evaluated by comparing the measured value and those calculated by a burnup calculation code. The percentage of the number of the neutron capture reaction at the initial stage of the criticality during 25 min against the total events was determined to be 24±6%.

Modulatory effect of aliphatic acid amides from Zanthoxylum piperitum on isolated gastrointestinal tract

beta-Sanshool and gamma-sanshool, unsaturated aliphatic acid amides isolated from the pericarpium of Zanthoxylum piperitum De Candolle (Rutaceae), relax the circular muscle of the gastric body, as well as contract the longitudinal muscle of the ileum and distal colon in an experimental system using the gastrointestinal tract isolated from a guinea pig.

Mechanisms for contractile effect of Dai-kenchu-to in isolated guinea pig ileum

The mechanisms by which Dai-kenchu-to (TJ-100), a kampo medicine, enhances gastrointestinal motility was investigated using isolated guinea pig ileum. TJ-100 induced contractions accompanied by autonomous contraction at a concentration of more than 3 x 10(-4) g/ml in a dose-related manner. The TJ-100-induced ileal contraction was suppressed by atropine and tetrodotoxin, but not by hexamethonium. This effect was partially suppressed in the presence of high concentrations of ICS 205-930, a serotonin 4 (5-HT4) receptor antagonist. In addition, TJ-100 showed an acetylcholine (ACh)-releasing action in the smooth muscle tissues of ileum. These results suggest that contractile response induced by TJ-100 is partially mediated by ACh released from the cholinergic nerve endings and that 5-HT4 receptors would be involved in the effect of TJ-100.

Lethal form of chondrodysplasia punctata with normal plasmalogen and cholesterol biosynthesis

We present a male autopsied case of chondrodysplasia punctata with abnormal face, symmetrical proximal limb shortness, severe psychomotor developmental delay, respiratory muscle weakness, and death at the age of 2 years. Although his clinical manifestations were similar to those of rhizomelic chondrodysplasia punctata (RCDP), biochemical studies using skin fibroblasts did not document the peroxisomal dysfunction described in RCDP. In addition, the sterol profile, for which abnormalities have recently been reported in cases of X-linked dominant form chondrodysplasia punctata (CDPX2), was normal both in the liver and in the fibroblasts. This patient may represent a new lethal form of chondrodysplasia punctata.

Plasma soluble interleukin-2 receptor levels during and after upper abdominal surgery

Soluble interleukin-2 (IL-2) receptor (sIL-2R) is reported to be up-regulated in inflammatory disorders. Although sIL-2R may modulate perioperative inflammatory responses, it remains unclear whether upper abdominal surgery affects plasma sIL-2R levels. We evaluated the influence of major abdominal surgery on plasma sIL-2R levels. Ten patients scheduled for upper abdominal surgery received anaesthesia with isoflurane, nitrous oxide, and epidural block. Plasma sIL-2R and IL-6 levels were determined at pre-anaesthesia, 0, 2, and 4 hours during surgery, and on postoperative days 1 (POD1) and 3 (POD3). The plasma levels of sIL-2R decreased significantly and achieved their minimum value at 4 hours (677.0 +/- 125.3 pg/ml, P < 0.01 compared to pre-anaesthesia value; 924.5 +/- 178.8 pg/ml, 95% confidence interval = 122.2-550.4). The plasma sIL-2R levels increased on POD1 (1336.5 +/- 174.0 pg/ml) and POD3 (1629.0 +/- 262.8 pg/ml), and reached a level significantly higher than the baseline (P < 0.05 and P < 0.001, 95% confidence interval = 93.4-730.6 and 402.8-1006.2, respectively). The plasma sIL-2R levels on POD3 significantly correlated with the peak IL-6 levels (r = 0.67, P < 0.05). The plasma sIL-2R levels on POD3 correlated with the amount of intraoperative bleeding (r = 0.66, P < 0.05). In conclusion, we found that major abdominal surgery induces characteristic changes in plasma soluble IL-2 receptor levels.

The soluble endothelial protein C receptor binds to activated neutrophils: involvement of proteinase-3 and CD11b/CD18

The protein C pathway is a primary regulator of blood coagulation and a critical component of the host response to inflammatory stimuli. The most recent member of this pathway is the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR), a type I transmembrane protein with homology to CD1d/MHC class I proteins. EPCR accelerates formation of activated protein C, a potent anticoagulant and antiinflammatory agent. The current study demonstrates that soluble EPCR binds to PMA-activated neutrophils. Using affinity chromatography, binding studies with purified components, and/or blockade with specific Abs, it was found that soluble EPCR binds to proteinase-3 (PR3), a neutrophil granule proteinase. Furthermore, soluble EPCR binding to neutrophils was partially dependent on Mac-1 (CD11b/CD18), a beta(2) integrin involved in neutrophil signaling, and cell-cell adhesion events. PR3 is involved in multiple diverse processes, including hemopoietic proliferation, antibacterial activity, and autoimmune-mediated vasculitis. The observation that soluble EPCR binds to activated neutrophils via PR3 and a beta(2) integrin suggests that there may be a link between the protein C anticoagulant pathway and neutrophil functions.

Cloning and sequencing analysis of Trp1 gene of Flammulina velutipes

The genomic TRP1 gene from basidiomycete Flammulina velutipes was cloned by complementation of yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae trp1 mutation. Sequencing analysis revealed that the TRP1 gene encoded a single protein consisting of three catalytic functional domains; glutamine amidotransferase, indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase ) and N-(5'-phosphoribosyl) anthranilate isomerase, in order of NH2-glutamine amidotransferase-indole-3-glycerol phosphate synthase N-(5'-phosphoribosyl) anthranilate isomerase-COOH. The coding sequence of the TRP1 gene was interrupted by a single intron of 48 bases, the position and flanking sequences of which were highly homologous to those of basidiomycete Phanerochaete chrysosporium trpC.

Basidiomycetous fungus Flammulina velutipes harbors two linear mitochondrial plasmids encoding DNA and RNA polymerases

Basidiomycetous fungus Flammulina velutipes R15 strain had two linear plasmids in its mitochondria designated pFV1 and pFV2. They were double-stranded DNAs, whose sizes were 8.3 and 8.9 kb, respectively. Sequencing analysis of 7364 bases of the pFV1 and 6861 bases of the pFV2 revealed that the both plasmids had one set of two open reading frames (ORFs) each of that encoded putative DNA and RNA polymerases similar to those of mitochondrial plasmids in other filamentous fungi. In phylogenetic analysis of deduced amino acid sequences of the ORFs and counterparts of other filamentous fungi, the pFV2 was expectedly clustered with plasmids of basidiomycetous fungi. whereas the pFV1 with kalilo plasmid of ascomycetous fungus Neurospora intermedia.

[Guideline for treatment of gastroesophageal reflux disease]

The endpoints should be settled before the treatment of GERD. These are symptom relief, healing and maintenance of erosive or ulcerative lesions, and also probably prevention of several complications of GERD. In medical treatment for GERD, we can take some different strategies, that is, single-agent, step-up or step-down therapy. The authors reviewed the effects of many drugs, being used for GERD therapy, and decided the levels of therapeutic effects from the view point of EBM. Using these results, we recommended that the therapy of GERD should be started with PPI of a regular dose and stepped-down in usual cases, but it should be begun with PPI and stepped-up in refractory cases. PPI may be necessary also for maintenance treatment in most latter cases. The guideline of the treatment for GERD were discussed.

[Maintenance therapy of mild form of GERD by H2 receptor antagonists]

Because of high relapse rate after the healing by proton pump inhibitor(PPI) or H2 receptor antagonist(H2RA), GERD usually needs long time maintenance therapy. PPI is superior to H2RA in the first line as well as maintenance therapy. PPI is necessary for severe cases of GERD. However, H2RA is sufficient for milder form of GERD patients. Among the H2RA using in Japan, nizatidine has known to stimulate gastric emptying and elevate LES pressure. Nizatidine may be superior to other H2RAs in the treatment of GERD. Recently, nocturnal acid breakthrough which night time acid is secreted even PPI is administered twice daily has been documented. H2RAs are stronger than PPI to inhibit nocturnal acid breakthrough and may be better than night time acid reflux.

Pheromonal and kairomonal activities can be separated: synthesis and bioactivity studies of pine bast scale sex pheromones and their analogues

New syntheses were achieved to secure matsuone (1), the pheromone of the pine scale Matsucoccus matsumurae, that of M. feytaudi (2), and that of M. josephi (3). Five analogues (4-8) of 1, 2, and 3 were synthesized and their bioactivities studied. The pheromone analogue 7 showed relatively strong pheromonal activity toward M. josephi, while it was inactive as a kairomone toward the predator Elatophilus hebraicus. Similarly, analogue 8 acted as a pheromone for M. feytaudi, but it did not attract any of its local predators. The M. feytaudi pheromone 2 exhibited strong kairomonal activity toward E. hebraicus, but was not active as a pheromone mimic to attract M. josephi.

The endothelial cell protein C receptor aids in host defense against Escherichia coli sepsis

The influence of the endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR) on the host response to Escherichia coli was studied. Animals were treated with 4 separate protocols for survival studies and analysis of physiologic and biochemical parameters: (1) monoclonal antibody (mAb) that blocks protein C/activated protein C binding to EPCR plus sublethal numbers of E coli (SLEC) (n = 4); (2) mAb to EPCR that does not block binding plus SLEC (n = 3); (3) SLEC alone (n = 4); and (4) blocking mAB alone (n = 1). Those animals receiving blocking mAb to EPCR plus sublethal E coli died 7 to 54 hours after challenge, whereas all animals treated with the other protocols were permanent survivors. Histopathologic studies of tissues from animals receiving blocking mAb plus SLEC removed at postmortem were compared with those animals receiving SLEC alone killed at T+24 hours. The animals receiving the blocking mAb exhibited consumption of fibrinogen, microvascular thrombosis with hemorrhage of both the adrenal and renal cortex, and an intense influx of neutrophils into the adrenal, renal, and hepatic microvasculature, whereas the tissues from animals receiving only sublethal E coli exhibited none of these abnormal histopathologic changes. Compared with the control animals, the animals receiving the blocking mAb exhibited significantly elevated serum glutamic pyruvic transaminase, anion gap, thrombin-antithrombin complex, IL-6, IL-8, and soluble thrombomodulin. The levels of circulating activated protein C varied too widely to allow a clear determination of whether the extent of protein C activation was altered in vivo by blocking protein C binding to EPCR. We conclude that protein C/activated protein C binding to EPCR contributes to the negative regulation of the coagulopathic and inflammatory response to E coli and that EPCR provides an additional critical step in the host defense against E coli. (Blood. 2000;95:1680-1686)

Latex piezoelectric immunoassay: analysis of C-reactive protein in human serum

We constructed an integrated immunosensor system to combine a quartz crystal microbalance with the agglutination reaction of immunized latex beads. C-reactive protein (CRP) induced an immunoreaction due to the latex bends with anti-CRP antibody. We succeeded in determining the concentration of CRP necessary in human serum for disease diagnosis using a CRP Sensor I.

Photoinactivation of vesicular stomatitis virus with fullerene conjugated with methoxy polyethylene glycol amine

Fullerene is known to effectively produce mainly singlet oxygen by absorbing light energy, and therefore may be useful as a virucidal photosensitizer. This study was designed to investigate the virucidal activity of a water-soluble fullerene derivative, which is conjugated with methoxy polyethylene glycol amine to enhance its water solubility. Vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV) was inactivated upon illumination with this water-soluble fullerene, in a concentration- or dose-dependent manner. The titer of VSV was reduced by >5log 10 in the presence of 10 mg/ml (400 microM) fullerene derivative with 120 J/cm2 white light irradiation. VSV inactivation was inhibited by oxygen removal or by the addition of sodium azide, a known singlet oxygen scavenger. The substitution of H2O by D2O, which is known to prolong the lifetime of singlet oxygen, promoted the virucidal activity. These results indicate that singlet oxygen may play a major role in VSV photoinactivation by the water-soluble fullerene derivative. The concentration needed for virus inactivation is higher than that of other sensitizers such as methylene blue.

The effective removal of proinflammatory cytokines by continuous hemofiltration with a polymethylmethacrylate membrane following severe burn injury: report of three cases

The serum levels of proinflammatory cytokines were investigated in three patients with severe burn injuries complicated by sepsis and pulmonary edema, who were treated with continuous hemofiltration (CHF) using a polymethylmethacrylate (PMMA) membrane. All patients had suffered burn injuries to more than 30% of their total body surface area (TBSA) and had burn indexes of 20 or more. Both interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha were detectable in one patient, while the serum IL-6 levels were elevated in the remaining two patients. The serum cytokines decreased 24 h after the initiation of CHF. Determinations of IL-6 in inflow and outflow blood samples as well as in the filtration fluid revealed that IL-6 was ultrafiltrated and/or adsorbed by the filter. Two of the three patients did not survive. Nevertheless, the results of this study indicate that since burn injuries are frequently associated with hypercytokinemia, the removal of cytokines by CHF with a PMMA membrane may be effective in the management of severe burn injuries.

Regulation and functions of the protein C anticoagulant pathway

The protein C pathway plays a critical role in the negative regulation of the blood clotting process. We recently identified an endothelial cell receptor for protein C/activated protein C (APC). The receptor is localized almost exclusively on endothelial cells of large vessels and is present at only trace levels or indeed absent from capillaries in most tissues. Patients with sepsis or lupus erythematosus exhibit elevated levels of plasma EPCR which migrates on gels as a single band and is fully capable of binding protein C/APC. There is no correlation with thrombomodulin levels, probably due to different vascular localizations and/or cellular release mechanisms. To understand the mechanisms by which EPCR plasma levels are elevated, we examined EPCR mRNA expression in a rat endotoxin shock model. The EPCR mRNA gene exhibited an early immediate gene response to endotoxin with the mRNA levels increasing nearly 4 fold in the first 3-6 hrs, before returning toward baseline. Plasma levels of EPCR also rose about 4 fold with little change in tissue EPCR levels. Both processes were markedly attenuated by hirudin suggesting that thrombin was responsible for increases in mRNA and plasma EPCR levels. At the level of mRNA, the induction is mediated by a thrombin response element in the 5' flanking region of the gene. Direct thrombin infusion and cell culture experiments support this contention. On endothelium, thrombin is capable of releasing cell surface EPCR and this process is blocked by the metalloproteinase inhibitor orthophenanthroline. Taken together these studies indicate that elevation in soluble plasma EPCR reflects endothelial cell activation in the larger vessels and is likely to be an indication of local thrombin generation near these vessel surfaces.