Validity and reliability of the Japanese version of the selected anger expression scale and age, sex, occupation and regional differences in anger expression among Japanese

To examine the reliability and construct validity of the Japanese version of the Anger Expression Scale among four Japanese communities, and to examine distributions of anger expression scores according to sex, age, occupation, and community, we performed a cross-sectional study among 1,802 men and 3,229 women aged 20-70 in four geographic populations in 1995-97. We handed a self-administered questionnaire, which was selected from the Spielberger Anger Expression Scale, to the participants in the risk factor surveys and measured anger-in and anger-out as the anger expression scale. These scales had high internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha coefficient was 0.97-0.98 for anger-out and 0.77-0.86 for anger-in) and were of almost the same structure as the original. The Pearson correlation coefficients for the anger expression scale examined in 1995 and 1996 were 0.69 for anger-out and 0.57 for anger-in (both p < 0.001). The mean scores of both anger-out and anger-in were inversely associated with age. The mean anger-out score was higher for men than for women (p < 0.001), whereas the mean anger-in score did not vary significantly between the sexes. Furthermore, the mean scores of anger-out and anger-in varied among populations and occupational groups. The present study suggests that the Japanese version of the selected Anger Expression Scale is an acceptable scale for evaluating anger expression among Japanese.

Purification and characterization of a neutral ceramidase from mouse liver. A single protein catalyzes the reversible reaction in which ceramide is both hydrolyzed and synthesized

We report here a novel ceramidase that was purified more than 150, 000-fold from the membrane fraction of mouse liver. The enzyme was a monomeric polypeptide having a molecular mass of 94 kDa and was highly glycosylated with N-glycans. The amino acid sequence of a fragment obtained from the purified enzyme was homologous to those deduced from the genes encoding an alkaline ceramidase of Pseudomonas aeruginosa and a hypotheical protein of the slime mold Dictyostelium discoideum. However, no significant sequence similarities were found in other known functional proteins including acid ceramidases of humans and mice. The enzyme hydrolyzed various N-acylsphingosines but not galactosylceramide, sulfatide, GM1a, or sphingomyelin. The enzyme exhibited the highest activity around pH 7.5 and was thus identified as a type of neutral ceramidase. The apparent K(m) and V(max) values for C12-4-nitrobenzo-2-oxa-1, 3-diazole-ceramide and C16-(14)C-ceramide were 22.3 microM and 29.1 micromol/min/mg and 72.4 microM and 3.6 micromol/min/mg, respectively. This study also clearly demonstrated that the purified 94-kDa ceramidase catalyzed the condensation of fatty acid to sphingosine to generate ceramide, but did not catalyze acyl-CoA-dependent acyl-transfer reaction.

Decrease of suppressor-inducer (CD4+ CD45RA) T lymphocytes and increase of serum immunoglobulin G due to perceived job stress in Japanese nuclear electric power plant workers

To clarify the effects of perceived job stress on the immune system, a cross-sectional study was conducted in 116 male Japanese workers of a nuclear electric power plant (age, 20 to 39; mean, 31 years). Perceived job stress, i.e., psychological job demand, job control, worksite social support, and job strain, was assessed by means of the Japanese version of the Job Content Questionnaire. The job strain score was calculated as the ratio of the job demand score to the job control score. Blood samples were taken from all workers, and numbers of T and natural killer cell subpopulations, B lymphocytes, total lymphocytes and white blood cells, and serum concentrations of immunoglobulins (IgG, IgM, IgA, IgE and IgD) in their blood were measured. The workers were divided into higher and lower strain groups according to their job strain scores. The number of CD4+ CD45RA+ T lymphocytes in the higher strain group having the job strain score of 0.5 or more (41 workers) was significantly smaller than that in the lower strain group having the score of less than 0.5 (75 workers). In contrast, the serum IgG concentration in the former group was significantly higher than that in the latter group (analysis of covariance with age and smoking as covariates). Also, the numbers of total CD4+ T and total T (CD3+) lymphocytes and of white blood cells in the former group were significantly smaller than those in the latter group. After controlling for age and smoking by the partial correlation coefficient in all 116 workers, the number of CD57+ CD16+ natural killer cells was inversely correlated with job demand and with job strain; the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes was positively correlated with worksite social support; and serum IgG and IgM concentrations were positively correlated with job strain. It is suggested that higher job strain decreases the number of CD4+ CD45RA+ T lymphocytes in male Japanese workers but increases serum IgG concentrations.

Mechanism of preserved positive lusitropy by cAMP-dependent drugs in heart failure

In tachycardia-induced heart failure (HF), positive lusitropic effects of milrinone or dobutamine were assessed by evaluating the time constant of left ventricular (LV) pressure decay (tau) and Ca(2+)-ATPase activity of the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR). The peak value of the positive first derivative of LV pressure (+dP/dt) was less increased, either by dobutamine (2-10 microg x kg(-1) x min(-1)) or by milrinone (4-20 microg/kg), in HF than in control (P < 0.05), whereas tau was shortened to an extent similar to that in control with dobutamine [P = not significant (NS)] and to an even greater extent with milrinone (P < 0.05). Ca(2+)-ATPase activity increased similarly in HF and control with dobutamine (1 microM; +11% in HF vs. +12% in control, P = NS), whereas it increased more with milrinone (1 microM; +19% in HF vs. +11% in control, P < 0.05). Ca(2+)-ATPase activity-cAMP relationships were shifted to the left by milrinone or dobutamine in HF compared with control. Thus, in HF, the sensitivity of Ca(2+)-ATPase activity to cAMP was increased on addition of cAMP-dependent inotropic agents, contributing to the preservation of positive lusitropy.

Abnormal Ca2+ release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum in tachycardia-induced heart failure

OBJECTIVE

In heart failure, little information is available as to the Ca2+ release function of sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR), which plays a major role in cardiac contractile function. Here, we assessed the rapid kinetics of drug-induced Ca2+ release from cardiac SR in combination with a measurement of ryanodine binding in heart failure.

METHODS

The SR vesicles were isolated from dog left ventricular (LV) muscles (normal (N), n = 10; pacing induced heart failure (HF), n = 10). The time course of SR Ca2+ release was continuously monitored by a stopped-flow apparatus using arsenazoIII as a Ca2+ indicator, and Ca2+ uptake and [3H]ryanodine binding assays were done using a filtration method.

RESULTS

The amount of Ca2+ uptake was reduced in HF to 55% of N (P < 0.05). Even the more marked and earlier appeared decrease was seen in the rate constant and the initial rate of polylysine (PL; a specific release trigger)-induced Ca2+ release (P < 0.05). However, the PL concentration dependency of the initial rate shifted towards lower concentrations of PL in HF than in N ([PL] at half maximum stimulation = 0.13 vs. 0.35 microM). The [3H]ryanodine binding assay revealed a lower Bmax (pmol/mg) in HF than in N (0.91 +/- 0.19 vs. 2.64 +/- 0.59, P < 0.05), but no difference in Kd (nM) (0.95 +/- 0.29 vs. 0.90 +/- 0.11, P = n.s.). The [PL] dependency on the enhancement of [3H]ryanodine binding again showed a shift towards lower [PL] in HF than in N.

CONCLUSIONS

In pacing-induced heart failure, the Ca2+ releasing function of SR is disturbed, which may result in an intra-cellular Ca2+ transient that was slowed down.

Injection of mitomycin-C-treated spleen cells induces donor-specific unresponsiveness to cardiac allografts in rats

BACKGROUND

In this study, preoperative mitomycin-C- (MMC) treated donor-specific transfusion (DST) was examined for its ability to induce unresponsiveness to cardiac allografts in rats.

METHODS

DA (RT1a) rats were used as donors, BUF (RT1b) or WS (RT1k) rats as recipients, and Lew (RT1l) rats as third party donors. BUF or WS rats were given i.v. injection of DA spleen cells (SPCs) suspension (5x10(7)/l ml) with or without MMC treatment 10 days before cardiac transplantation. Delayed-type hypersensitivity and complement-dependent cytotoxicity assays were carried out in these animals separately to examine in vivo immunosuppressive effect. Suppressor assay was also examined to determine in vitro immunosuppressive effects in allogeneic mixed leukocyte culture.

RESULTS

In the full allogeneic DA-to-BUF rat strain combination, preoperative i.v. administration of MMC-treated donor SPCs led to a significant prolongation of graft survival over the control (110+/-66 versus 7.2+/-0.8 days: P<0.01), although administration of nontreated donor SPCs did not (9.3+/-1.0 days). This beneficial effect of MMC treatment was also seen in the DA-to-WS rat combination (31+/-16 days versus donor-specific transfusion alone; 11+/-1.5 days or untreated control; 12+/-1.5 days; P<0.05). However, injection of third party DA SPCs in the Lew-to-BUF combination induced no significant prolongation of cardiac allograft survival compared with the untreated control (11+/-0.6 versus 11+/-2.0 days; NS), indicating that this prolongation effect was induced in an antigen-specific manner. The immunosuppressive effect was also secured for both delayed-type hypersensitivity response and anti-donor cytotoxic antibody production. Moreover, addition of MMC-treated SPCs to mixed lymphocyte culture led to antigen-specific suppression.

CONCLUSIONS

Preoperative i.v. injection of MMC-treated donor SPCs is promising for inducing unresponsiveness in rat cardiac allograft model.

Effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations

Approximately 10-30% of the Japanese population suffer from Japanese cedar (Cryptomeria japonica) pollinosis in the spring. To date, the effects of this pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations have not been examined epidemiologically. To examine the effects of smoking and Japanese cedar pollinosis on lymphocyte subpopulations, we used flow cytometry to measure CD4+ and CD8+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations, natural-killer cell subpopulations, B(CD19+) lymphocytes, and total lymphocytes in 61 smokers and 51 nonsmokers. Some of these individuals had histories of pollinosis during November 1993-an off-season for Japanese cedar pollination. Our findings suggested that (a) CD4+ T-lymphocyte subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+CD45RA+, and CD4+ CD45RO+ cells) together with total CD4+ T, total T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of smoking; (b) CD8dim+CD11a+T, and CD8+CD11bt, and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD8+CD11 a+ T and total CD8+ T lymphocytes, were increased by the effects of pollinosis on smokers, even though no lymphocyte subpopulations were increased by only the pollinosis effects; (c) CD4+CD29+T and CD8dimCD11a+ T lymphocytes were increased by the effects of smoking on pollinosis, and (d) CD4+CD29+ T and CD4+CD45RO+ T lymphocytes, CD8dim+CD11 a+ T, and CD8+CD11b+ T lymphocytes and CD57+CD16+ natural killer cells, together with total CD4+ T, total T (CD3+), total CD8+CD11a+, total CD8+ T, and total lymphocytes, were increased by the combined effects of smoking and pollinosis.

Microchimerism in thymus is associated with up-regulated T helper type 1 cytokine transcription during cardiac allograft rejection in rats

BACKGROUND

Intrathymic microchimerism (MC) is thought to be responsible for inducing allograft tolerance. However, the role of MC in the thymus gland after transplantation, particularly in the rejection response, is unknown. We investigated serial changes in intrathymic cytokine production associated with MC and allograft rejection.

METHODS

Donor-specific cell injection (DSI) and heterotopic heart transplantation (HTx) were performed in the fully allogeneic combination using DA rats (RT1a) as donors and WS rats (RT1k)as recipients. MC was checked by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) using a donor RT1.Bbeta domain 1 region sequence-specific primers. Reverse transcription (RT)-PCR analysis of cytokine (interleukin [IL]-2, interferon-gamma, IL-4, and IL-10) profiles of the thymus was performed in animals given DSI, HTx, or DSI/HTx.

RESULTS

DSI alone resulted in an immediate development of MC, detected by PCR, in various organs including the thymus, spleen, liver, and blood, of most rats, lasting for over 2 months. However, DSI-induced MC selectively disappeared in the thymus on day 7 after grafting, several days before the rejection of cardiac allograft. RT-PCR analysis of cytokine profiles showed that the levels of Th1 (IL-2 and interferon-gamma) cytokines transcribed in the thymus were higher than in the spleen. MC reappeared in the thymus on day 21 after grafting, but was not associated with elevation of Th1 cytokine transcription when allograft was replaced by fibrosis.

CONCLUSIONS

Intrathymic MC does not always confer unresponsiveness to alloantigen, but can be eliminated after anti-donor response.

[The effects of fish supplementation of platelet function, count and metabolism in healthy Japanese]

To investigate changes in platelet function, count and metabolism following fish intake among Japanese, we conducted an experimental intervention study of seven healthy Japanese volunteers (4 males and 3 females) aged 28-58 years. We supplemented their diets with an approximate daily intake of 200-400 g fish which is equivalent to about 10 g n3-polyunsaturated fatty acids (about 3.5 g eicosapentaenoic acid plus 5.0 g docosahexaenoic acid) during the 17 days. The study continued until the 23rd day after returning to an ad libitum diet. The proportion of serum n3-polyunsaturated fatty acids increased two-fold on 5th day and three-fold on 15th day of fish supplementation, but decreased to one and a half-fold on the 2nd day and returned to the level before fish supplementation on the 12th day after returning to an ad libitum diet. The proportion of serum n6-polyunsaturated fatty acids decreased by 17% to the level before fish supplementation on the 5th day, 33% on the 15th day of fish supplementation. However, the decrease was only 10% on the 2nd day and the proportion returned to the same level as before fish supplementation on the 12th day after returning to an ad libitum diet. As a result, the serum n3/n6 polyunsaturated fatty acid ratio increased four-fold on the 15th day of fish supplementation, and returned to the baseline level on the 12th day after returning to an ad libitum diet. Platelet counts decreased and the mean platelet volume increased during fish supplementation. Both parameters returned to the level before fish supplementation on the 12th day after returning to an ad libitum diet. The counts and proportion of large type platelets increased significantly during fish supplementation. Although platelet aggregation by ADP (adenosine 5'-diphosphate) did not change significantly, platelet aggregation by collagen tended to decrease during fish supplementation. Platelet factor 4, one of the indices of platelet activity, decreased significantly during fish supplementation. The mean serum triglyceride level declined during fish supplementation, but returned to the level just before fish supplementation on the 2nd day after returning to an ad libitum diet. The mean plasma fibrinogen level tended to decline during fish supplementation and remained lower until the 12th day after returning to an ad libitum diet. Habitual fish intake may attenuate the development of atherosclerosis and prevent ischemic heart disease through suppression of platelet activity, and by reducing platelet counts and serum triglyceride levels.

A novel water-soluble vitamin E derivative protects against experimental colitis in rats

This study was designed to investigate the effects of water-soluble vitamin E derivative, 2-(alpha-D-glucopyranosyl)methyl-2,5,7,8-tetramethylchroman-6-ol (TMG), on experimental colitis in rats. Colitis was induced in male Wistar rats weighing 200 grams using an enema of trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid (TNBS) dissolved in 50% ethanol; 1 ml of TMG dissolved in physiological saline (0.2 mg/ml, 2 mg/ml, 20 mg/ml) was injected intraperitoneally every day for 1 week after the enema. The damage score, wet weight of the colon, and increase in body weight were estimated 1 week after the enema of TNBS. Thiobarbituric acid-reactive substances (TBA-RS), an index of lipid peroxidation, and the level of alpha-tocopherol or TMG in the colonic mucosa were measured 1 week after the induction of colitis. As a result, increase in body weight was inhibited by the induction of colitis, although the inhibition was reduced in the group treated with TMG. The damage score, wet weight and TBA-RS were increased significantly in the colitis group; however, they were inhibited by the administration of TMG. The alpha-tocopherol level in the colonic mucosa was reduced by the induction of colitis, wheres TMG could not be detected in the colonic mucosa of rats treated with TMG. These results suggest that TMG is effective for the treatment of colitis in rats induced by TNBS.

Characteristics of the production of active oxygen species from adherent and non-adherent neutrophils

Our objective was to evaluate the characteristics of the production of AOS from the neutrophils that had adhered to the endothelial cells, fibronectin or polystyrene, using the method of electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spin trapping. Neutrophils and endothelial cells were isolated from human venous blood and umbilical veins, respectively. AOS production from neutrophils was not elicited only by adhesion. The stimulation of adherent neutrophils with phorbol myristate acetate (PMA) induced the production of AOS. The production of AOS from adherent neutrophils to endothelial cells, but not to fibronectin or polystyrene, decreased with the interval time between the adhesion and the stimulation by PMA. The amount of AOS produced by the neutrophils adherent to fibronectin or polystyrene was maintained for one hour after stimulation with PMA, whereas that by suspended neutrophils gradually decreased with the time after stimulation. Results indicate that adherent and non-adherent neutrophils exhibit differing time course of AOS production.

Increase in memory (CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+) T and naive (CD4+CD45RA+) T-cell subpopulations in smokers

To examine the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured the following cell subpopulations: CD4+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD4+CD29+, CD4+ CD45RO+, and CD4+CD45RA+ cells); CD8+ T-cell subpopulations (i.e., CD8+CD11a+ and CD8+CD11b+ cells); and natural killer cell subpopulations (i.e., CD16+CD57-, CD16+CD57+, and CD16-CD57+ cells). We measured these subpopulations, together with total CD4+ T, total CD8+ T, total CD3+ T, B (CD19+), and total lymphocytes, in 10 male heavy smokers, 38 male light-to-moderate smokers, and 33 male nonsmokers. The mean ages were 30 y, 31 y, and 32 y, respectively, and ages did not vary significantly among the smokers. CD4+CD29+ and CD4+CD45RO+ (memory T) cells in heavy smokers were significantly more numerous than those in light-to-moderate smokers and nonsmokers. Also, these memory T-cell subpopulations were significantly more numerous in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The number of CD4+CD45RA+ (naive T) cells was significantly larger in heavy smokers than nonsmokers; numbers of CD4+CD45RO+ T and CD4+CD29+ T cells (memory T cells) were significantly correlated with daily cigarette consumption. Numbers of CD3+ T, CD4+ T, CD19+ B, and total lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in nonsmokers. There were significantly more CD3+ T, CD4+ T, and total lymphocytes in light-to-moderate smokers than in nonsmokers. The numbers of CD4+ T lymphocytes in heavy smokers were significantly larger than in light-to-moderate smokers. Perhaps CD4+ T cell subpopulations, especially memory T cells, are most susceptible to the effects of smoking on lymphocyte subpopulations.

[High shear stress induced platelet aggregation (h-SIPA) and effects of antiplatelet therapy]

A physiologic time averaged mean shear stress in stenosed coronary artery reach more than 350 dyne/cm2. Pathologic stenosis can directly lead to shear-induced aggregation of platelets. Platelet aggregation in response to pathologically elevated shear stress is depend on the presence of plasma von Willebrand factor (vWF) and platelet receptor glycoprotein (GP) Ib/IX and GPIIb/IIIa. Fibrinogen bridging thrombus play as key factor at low shear rate, however, vWF is most important factor at high shear rate. When high shear stress are applied to vWF, vWF change the shape round to linear, and bind to extracellular matrix such as collagen type I or III exposed to blood by rupture of atheromatous plaque. Consequently vWF interact with GP Ib/IX for initial adhesion without agonist stimulation, which is followed by activation of GPIIb/IIIa receptor and co-binding with GPIIb/IIIa and vWF. The binding of platelets via vWF is strengthen to sustain the opposing effect of high shear forces in coronary artery. In our study, significant increases of h-SIPA and plasma vWF levels were observed in patients with acute coronary syndrome compared with patients with chronic coronary artery disease. The additional application of ticlopidine or cilostazol to aspirin therapy significantly inhibition of h-SIPA in patient with acute coronary syndrome, however, less effective than patients with chronic coronary artery disease.

Pyrrolidone carboxyl peptidase from the hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus: cloning and overexpression in Escherichia coli of the gene, and its application to protein sequence analysis

A gene for a pyrrolidone carboxyl peptidase (Pcp: EC 3.4.19.3, pyroglutamyl peptidase), which removes amino-terminal pyroglutamyl residues from peptides and proteins, has been cloned from the hyperthermophilic Archaeon Pyrococcus furiosus using its cosmid protein library, sequenced, and expressed in Escherichia coli. The DNA sequence encodes a protein containing 208 amino acid residues with methionine at the N-terminus. Analysis of the recombinant protein expressed in E. coli, including amino acid sequence analysis from the N-terminus by automated Edman degradation and ionspray mass spectrometric analysis of the peptides generated by enzymatic digestions with lysylendopeptidase and Staphylococcus aureus V8 protease, showed its primary structure to be completely identical with that deduced from its cDNA sequence. Comparison of the amino acid sequence of P. furiosus Pcp (P.f.Pcp) with those of bacterial Pcps revealed that a high degree of sequence identity (more than 40%) and conservation of the amino acid residues comprising the catalytic triad, Cys142, His166, and Glu79. On the other hand, a unique short stretch sequence (positions around 175-185) that is absent in bacterial Pcps was found in P.f.Pcp. A similar stretch has also been reported recently in the amino acid sequence of Pcp from the hyperthermophilic Archaeon Thermococcus litoralis [Littlechild et al., in abstracts of the "International Congress on Exthermophiles '98" p. 58 (1998)]. To elucidate their contribution to the hyperthermostability of these enzymes, further structural studies are required.

Scanning electron microscopic and cytochemical analyses of alveolar and peritoneal macrophages of mice, dogs and cats

Alveolar and peritoneal macrophages (MPs) of mouse, dog and cat were compared in relation to their scanning electron microscopic features and the lysosomal activities of nonspecific esterase, acid phosphatase, and beta-glucuronidase. The long spindle shape of peritoneal MPs differed from the spherical form of alveolar MPs in all species. There was no difference in the morphological findings among the three animals. Murine alveolar and peritoneal MPs were strongly positive for all three enzymes. Canine and feline alveolar and peritoneal MPs were strongly positive for acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase, but weakly positive for nonspecific esterase. These results strongly suggest that acid phosphatase and beta-glucuronidase can be used as markers of the MPs in healthy dogs and cats.

Effects of balanced vasodilator, flosequinan, on aortic impedance in failing heart

An arteriovenous vasodilator, flosequinan, has been shown to be effective for the treatment of acute heart failure. However, little is known as to its effect on aortic impedance, which is known to be a proper and precise expression of left ventricular (LV) afterload. To evaluate the acute cardiovascular effect of flosequinan in failing heart, we administered flosequinan intravenously to seven dogs with cardiac failure produced by an infusion of carbon powder (20-50 microm in diameter) into left main trunks of coronary artery. The LV-pump function was severely impaired after intracoronary injection of carbon powder, as evidenced by the findings that cardiac output, circumferential shortening velocity (mean Vcf), and peak +dP/dt of LV pressure were all decreased, associated with a significant increase in LV end-diastolic pressure. Flosequinan (0.9 mg/kg, i.v.) increased cardiac output by 28%, mean Vcf by 44%, and peak +dP/dt by 24%, whereas it decreased total systemic resistance by 32%, time constant of LV pressure decay by 22%, and LV end-diastolic pressure by 18%. Moreover, flosequinan substantially decreased the pulsatile components of LV afterload (i.e., characteristic impedance by 11% and arterial wave reflection coefficient by 45%). Thus flosequinan exerted not only positive inotropic but also positive lusitropic effects, in association with a significant reduction of both pulsatile and steady components of LV afterload, contributing to an improvement of LV-pump function in acute cardiac failure.

Effects of smoking, aromatic amines, and chromates on CD4+ and CD8+ T lymphocytes in male workers

To investigate effects of smoking, aromatic amines (AAs), and chromates (CRs) on T lymphocyte subpopulations, we measured CD3+, CD4+, and CD8+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of 33 nonexposed workers, 25 AA-use workers, 27 AA-production workers, and 19 CR workers (all subjects were males). The number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in smokers of nonexposed workers was significantly larger than that of the nonsmokers; also, the numbers of CD4+ and CD3+ T lymphocytes in smokers of each group of AA-production and AA-use workers were significantly larger than those in nonsmokers. Number of CD4+ and CD3+ T lymphocytes in nonsmokers of AA-production and CR workers were significantly smaller than those in nonsmokers of nonexposed workers; the number of CD8+ T lymphocytes in nonsmokers of CR workers was significantly smaller than that in nonsmokers of nonexposed workers. The cross-sectional study suggests that (1) smoking increases CD4+ (and CD3+) T lymphocytes in all categories of workers except for CR workers; (2) exposure to CRs and AAs decreases CD4+ (and CD3+) T lymphocytes; (3) the magnitude of decrease in CD4+ T lymphocytes is large among CR workers, intermediate among AA-production workers, and small among AA-use workers regardless of smoking status; and (4) exposure to CRs also decreases CD8+ T lymphocytes.

Polylysine-induced rapid Ca2+ release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum

The rapid kinetics of polylysine-induced Ca2+ release from cardiac sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) was assessed in combination with its effect on ryanodine binding. SR vesicles were isolated from canine cardiac SR. The time course of SR Ca2+ release was continuously monitored by a stopped-flow apparatus, and [3H]ryanodine binding was done by using the filtration method. The initial rate of polylysine-induced Ca2+ release from cardiac SR revealed different concentration dependence from those observed in skeletal SR. The initial rate peaked at 0.11 microM, followed by a decrease at higher concentrations in skeletal SR, whereas it increased to 3.7 microM in cardiac SR. The [3H]ryanodine binding was also stimulated by polylysine with an identical parallelism with Ca2+ release in terms of polylysine concentration dependence. Thus we demonstrated that the cardiac SR Ca2+ release channel is sensitive to activation by polylysine and that there is a difference in the concentration dependence of polylysine-induced activation of cardiac and skeletal SR Ca2+ release channels.

[Survival and disability in stroke by stroke subtype based on computed tomographic findings in three rural Japanese communities]

PURPOSE

We conducted an epidemiological study of survival and disability in stroke in three Japanese communities to seek community strategies for improvement in survival and disability.

METHODS

A total of 297 first-ever strokes were identified between 1988 and 1992 in three rural communities (total population = 47,000) located in Akita and Ibaraki. We analyzed survival rates and activity of daily living by sex, age-group and stroke subtypes. Successful review of computed tomography (CT) for 84 percent of the strokes (249 out of 297) was possible and the data were used for subtype analyses.

RESULTS

For all strokes (n = 297) survival rates were 85% for 30 day, 70% for one year, 62% for three year. The rates tended to be lower in women than in men. The rates were lowest in ages less than 60 at thirty day, and in ages 80 and older at the end of the first and third year. Intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular rupture, subarachnoid hemorrhage and cortical cerebral infarction had lower survival rates than intracerebral hemorrhage without ventricular rupture and lacunar infarction. Based on Cox's proportional hazard model, risk ratio for death was 2.07 in ages 70-79, and 3.80 in ages 80 and older compared with ages 60-69. The risk ratio was 3.46 for intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular rupture, 3.38 for subarachnoid hemorrhage and 2.46 for cortical cerebral infarction compared with lacunar infarction. The proportion of stroke survivors who need assistance from others in the first and third years tended to be higher in women than in men. The proportion was higher in older patients than in the younger, and higher for intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular rupture and cortical cerebral infarction than in other subtypes of stroke. From logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for disability in the first year was 6.55 for ages 80 and older compared with ages 60-69. The odds ratio was 5.61 for intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular rupture, 4.53 for cortical cerebral infarction compared with lacunar infarction. In the third year the odds ratio was significant for ages 70-79, and decreased for intracerebral hemorrhage with ventricular rupture (odds ratio = 2.98), and increased for cortical cerebral infarction (odds ratio = 6.06).

CONCLUSIONS

Survival and disability in stroke depended on age and stroke subtypes. Even after age adjustment, stroke subtypes with large cerebral involvement had worse prognosis than stroke subtypes. Community-based hypertension control programs are important to prevent any subtypes of stroke. Stroke subtypes as well as age should be taken into account to develop effective care and medical treatments for strokes.

[The relation between platelet aggregation and constitutional and lifestyle variables in two Japanese communities]

To investigate the contribution of the platelet aggregation in the development of cardiovascular diseases, we examined the relation of constitutional and lifestyle variables with platelet aggregation for a total of 306 males aged 50 to 70 in Ikawa town, Akita prefecture (n = 163) and Noichi town, Kochi prefecture (n = 143). The examination of platelet aggregation was completed within 3 hours of obtaining blood samples. We used ADP (Adenosine 5'-diphosphate) as an agonist and obtained PATI (the platelet aggregatory threshold index) by nephelometry. Platelet count, mean platelet volume, white blood cell count, serum fatty acid compositions were also examined and dietary intake of fish, seafood and soy bean foods were inquired using one-week dietary records. PATI indicated a logarithmic normal distribution in both Ikawa and Noichi. The mean of logarithmic transformed PATI (log PATI) was higher in Ikawa than in Noichi. Thus platelet aggregation was lower in Ikawa than in Noichi. According to multiple regression analysis, age, platelet count in platelet rich plasma, mean platelet volume in platelet rich plasma, and white blood cell count were inversely associated with log PATI. Serum arachidonic acid composition tended to be inversely related with log PATI. Serum n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid composition was positively related with log PATI, and log gamma-GTP tended to be positively associated with log PATI. Soy protein intake and cigarette smoking showed no consistent associations with log PATI. This cross-sectional study suggests that serum n3-polyunsaturated fatty acid, and gamma-GTP, as an index of alcohol intake, reduce platelet aggregation while age, white blood cell count, platelet count, mean platelet volume, and serum arachidonic acid raise platelet aggregation.

Assessment of mutations of Ha- and Ki-ras oncogenes and the p53 suppressor gene in seven malignant mesothelioma patients exposed to asbestos--PCR-SSCP and sequencing analyses of paraffin-embedded primary tumors

To examine whether malignant mesothelioma due to asbestos has genetic alterations in the Ha- and Ki-ras oncogenes or in the p53 suppressor gene, we analyzed the point mutations of these genes in paraffin-embedded autopsy samples of the primary tumors of malignant mesothelioma in seven asbestos patients who died from malignant mesothelioma. The genetic analysis was conducted by the polymerase chain reaction-single strand comformation polymorphysms (PCR-SSCP) method in all patients, and through the sequencing of deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) bases in one patient. No genetic alterations were found in exons 1 or 2 of Ha- and Ki-ras oncogenes, or in exons 5 to 9 of the p53 gene, in any of the patients. Further studies on a larger number of patients are required to reach a definite conclusion concerning the genetic effects of asbestos on malignant mesothelioma.

Increase in the helper inducer (CD4+CD29+) T lymphocytes in smokers

Previously, we reported an increase in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in the peripheral blood of smokers. In the present study, subpopulations of CD4+ T lymphocytes together with CD8+ T lymphocytes, total (CD3+) T lymphocytes, B (CD19+) lymphocytes, natural killer (CD16+) cells and total lymphocytes were examined by two-color staining using anti-2H4 (CD45RA) and anti-4B4 (CD29) monoclonal antibodies in 8 male smokers and 22 age-matched male non-smokers. The number of CD4+CD29+ T lymphocytes in smokers was significantly higher than that in non-smokers. The total number of CD4+ T lymphocytes in smokers was also significantly higher. No significant differences in CD8+ T, CD19+ B lymphocytes and CD16+ NK cells were found between smokers and non-smokers. Thus, it is suggested that the increase in the number of CD4+CD29+ (helper inducer) T lymphocytes is responsible for the increase in total CD4+ T lymphocytes in smokers.