The production of 6-deoxy-L-talan from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans via bacterial coupling in vitro

A method of producing 6-deoxy-L-talan, the serotype c-specific polysaccharide antigen (SPA) from Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans,was established using a whole-cell reaction with two recombinant Escherichia coli strains. The production of serotype c-SPA was investigated using the dot blot assay with anti-A. actinomycetemcomitans NCTC 9710 serum after an 18-h reaction, starting with a solution containing the recombinant E. coli cells, alpha-d-glucose-1-phosphate, and dTTP. Moreover, examination of the time course for 6-deoxy-L-talan production proved that this system ran satisfactorily. This paper is the first report of a convenient method to readily produce the exopolysaccharide from A. actinomycetemcomitans in vitro.

Alkaline and acid phosphatases in bone cells serve as phosphohydrolases at physiological pH in vivo: a histochemical implication

Net activity of tissue-nonspecific alkaline phosphatase (TNAP) and acid phosphatase (ACP) remains to be determined since enzyme histochemistry has adopted biochemically determined optimal pH, which is not likely to represent local pH in vivo. The present study aimed to evaluate TNAP and ACP activities associated with bone cells at physiological pH. At the physiological pH of tissue fluid, intense phosphatase reactions were demonstrable in osteoblasts and osteoclasts as well as the bone matrix associated with osteoclasts. In fresh-frozen and freeze-substituted specimens, intense phosphatase reactions appeared at both alkaline and neutral pH along the entire surface of osteoblasts including the osteoidal surface, where TNAP was shown to be absent by immunohistochemistry. Combined specificity tests suggested that TNAP and ACP in bone cells can serve as phosphohydrolases at pH 7.3 and that reactions along the osteoidal surface of osteoblasts differ from that of TNAP and represent novel enzyme.

Absence of mutations in the Wilms' tumor gene wt1 in de novo non-small cell lung cancers

We recently demonstrated that the WT1 gene was overexpressed in the majority of de novo lung cancers regardless of cancer subtypes. Here, we examined WT1 genomic DNA in 38 cases of de novo non-small cell lung cancers (NSCLC) for mutations using direct sequencing. The sequencing analysis showed no mutations of WT1 genomic DNA in any of 38 de novo non-small cell lung cancers examined. These results indicated that the non-mutated, wild-type WT1 gene played an important role in de novo NSCLC.

Effects of combination therapy with a luteinizing hormone-releasing hormone agonist and chlormadinone acetate on rat prostate weight and plasma testosterone levels

We investigated whether the combination of chlormadinone acetate (CMA) and a luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LH-RH) agonist, leuprorelin acetate (leuprorelin), more markedly decreased ventral prostate and seminal vesicle weights and plasma sex hormone levels in male rats. Four weeks after administration of 0.28, 0.84 or 2.8 mg/kg of leuprorelin, ventral prostate weights significantly decreased (53.8, 54.4 and 64.1%) and the plasma testosterone levels significantly lowered, but not dose-dependently. After repetitive administrations of 3 and 30 mg/kg/day of CMA, the rates of ventral prostatic atrophy were 37.1 and 65.9%, respectively. Although there was no change in the plasma testosterone level at 3 mg/kg, 30 mg/kg of CMA significantly decreased the level. A combination of leuprorelin (0.28 mg/kg) and CMA (3 or 30 mg/kg) more potently induced ventral prostatic and seminal vesicle atrophy than leuprorelin alone. Furthermore, a combination of leuprorelin and CMA (30 mg/kg) more markedly decreased the plasma testosterone level. According to the pharmacokinetic data for CMA in male rats, the doses of CMA correspond to the clinical dose. These findings suggest that combination therapy with an LH-RH agonist and CMA is more useful than therapy with the agonist alone in the treatment of prostate cancer.

Dietary intake of the flower extracts of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) inhibited compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch responses in mice

The antipruritic effects of the diets containing German chamomile on the compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice were examined. Since it is reported that an injection of compound 48/80, but not histamine, induced scratching behaviour due to itch but not to pain in ddY mice (Kuraishi et al., 1995), compound 48/80-induced scratching in ddY mice seems to be a suitable parameter for evaluating antipruritic agents independent of histamine receptor antagonism. In the mice fed the diet containing 1.2 w/w % of the ethyl acetate extract of dried flower of German chamomile (Matricaria recutita L.) for 11 days, the compound 48/80-induced scratching behaviour was significantly suppressed. The ethyl acetate extract of German chamomile dose dependently suppressed compound 48/80-induced scratching without affecting body weight increase. The ethyl acetate fraction of the ethanol extract and the ethanol extract of hot water extraction residue of German chamomile flower also showed strong inhibition on the compound 48/80-induced scratching. The inhibitory effects of the dietary intake of the German chamomile extracts on compound 48/80-induced itch-scratch response were comparable to oxatomide (10 mg/kg, p.o.), an anti-allergic agent.

Formation of methyl nitrite and methyl nitrate during plasma treatment of diesel exhaust

FTIR spectroscopy was used to identify CH3ONO and CH3ONO2 as products of the nonthermal plasma treatment of simulated diesel exhaust. This is the first observation of CH3ONO formation in such systems. The yield of CH3ONO relativeto CH3ONO2 scaled linearly with the average [NO]/ [NO2] ratio in the system. A plot of [CH3ONO]/[CH3ONO2] versus [NO]/[NO2] gives a slope of 1.81 +/- 0.30. This result is indistinguishable from the literature value of the rate constant ratio k(CH3O + NO)/k(CH3O + NO2) = (2.6 x 10(-11))/ (1.5 x 10(-11)) = 1.73 +/- 0.37. The experimental observations suggest that reactions of CH3O radicals with NO and NO2 are the sources of CH3ONO and CH3ONO2 in such systems. The linear relationship between the yields of CH3ONO and CH3ONO2 provides a means of estimating the yield of these compounds during nonthermal plasma treatment of diesel exhaust.

A patient with self-inflicted injuries of the cervical vertebrae and spinal cord

INTRODUCTION

We encountered a patient with methamphetamine addiction who had self-inflicted injuries of the cervical vertebrae and spinal cord.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The patient hit his head on the wall many times and showed abnormal behavior due to the addiction. Radiograph and CT revealed cervical vertebral injuries. Clinical findings indicated that the injuries had affected the spinal cord.

RESULTS

Conservative treatment was performed because reduction of the cervical vertebrae was good.

Survey of Vibrio cholerae O1 and its survival over the winter in marine water of Port of Osaka

The survey of Vibrio cholerae O1 in marine area was carried out in the Port of Osaka, Japan in 1987-2001, and 51 V. cholerae O1 strains were isolated. All strains were identified to be of El Tor biotype, Ogawa serotype and classic Ubon Kappa-phage type, and were cholera toxin (CT)-negative and CT gene-negative. In order to clarify certain ecological aspects of V. cholerae O1 in the marine environment of the temperate zone, we performed molecular analysis of the isolated strains using pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) with NotI and SfiI restriction enzymes. We found the indistinguishable strains by DNA analysis using PFGE with strains passed for 1 year, and also found the closely related strains with that passed for 3 and 12 years. Those results indicated that V. cholerae O1 can survive over one winter at least, and that it survives in marine water for a long time by undergoing continuous mutation.

Estimation of lung growth using computed tomography

Anatomical studies suggest that normal lungs grow by rapid alveolar addition until about 2 yrs of age followed by a gradual increase in alveolar dimensions. The aim of this study was to examine the hypothesis that normal lung growth can be monitored by computed tomography (CT). Therefore, the gas volume per gram of lung tissue was estimated from measurements of lung density obtained from CT scans performed on children throughout the growth period. CT scans were performed on 17 males and 18 females, ranging in age from 15 days-17.6 yrs. CT-measured lung weight was correlated with predicted post mortem values and CT measured gas volume with predicted values of functional residual capacity. The median value for lung expansion was 1.86 mL x g(-1) at 15 days, decreased to 0.79 mL x g(-1) by 2 yrs and then increased steadily to 5.07 mL x g(-1) at 17 yrs. Computed tomography scans can be used to estimate lung weight, gas volume and expansion of normal lungs during the growth period. The increase in the lung expansion after the age of 2 yrs suggests progressive alveolar expansion with increasing lung volume.

HSpin1, a transmembrane protein interacting with Bcl-2/Bcl-xL, induces a caspase-independent autophagic cell death

The Drosophila spinster (spin) gene product is required for programmed cell death in the nervous and reproductive systems. We have identified a human homologue of the Drosophila spin gene product (HSpin1). HSpin1 bound to Bcl-2 and apoptosis regulator Bcl-X (Bcl-xL), but not to proapoptotic members such as Bcl-2-associated X protein and Bcl-2 homologous antagonist killer, in cells treated with TNF-alpha. Exogenous expression of HSpin1 resulted in the cell death without inducing a release of cytochrome c from mitochondria. Overexpression of Bcl-xL inhibited the HSpin1-induced cell death. Interestingly, a necrosis inhibitor, pyrrolidine dithiocarbomate, but not the pancaspase inhibitors, carbobenzoxy-VAD-fluoromethyl ketone and p35, blocked the HSpin1-induced cell death. HSpin1-induced cell death increases autophagic vacuole and mature form of cathepsin D, suggesting a novel caspase-independent cell death, which is link to autophagy.

Striatal infarcts mimicking frontotemporal dementia: a case report

We described a patient with bilateral striatal infarcts, in whom stereotyped and disinhibited behaviors were insidiously emerged over 2 years mimicking frontotemporal dementia (FTD). A positron emission tomography with 18-fluorodeoxy glucose showed a hypometabolism in the frontal lobes, basal ganglia, and thalami. The peculiar behavioral alterations remained unchanged for the following 7 years, suggesting that the disease is not degenerative but of vascular origin. A disruption of the fronto-subcortical circuits at the level of the striatum or the anterior thalamic peduncle is attributable to the FTD-like behavioral and cognitive syndrome.

Distribution of Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans serotypes and Porphyromonas gingivalis in Japanese adults

Strains of the bacterium Actinobacillus actinomycetemcomitans found in the human oral cavity are divided into five serotypes, a, b, c, d, and e. In this study, A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes and Porphyromonas gingivalis were isolated from 656 subgingival sites in systemically healthy Japanese adults. A. actinomycetemcomitans was detected in 19.5% of 328 Japanese subjects, while 27.1% of subjects were positive for P. gingivalis. Of 75 A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive sites, only one serotype was detected in 39 sites (52.0%). The numbers of sites in which two different serotypes and three different serotypes were detected were 18 (25.0%) and 7 (9.3%), respectively. A. actinomycetemcomitans serotype c was detected more frequently in sites that were positive for both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans (76.9%) than in sites that were P. gingivalis-negative and A. actinomycetemcomitans-positive (33.9%). In addition, serotype c was detected much more frequently than the other serotypes (<16%) in sites that were positive for both P. gingivalis and A. actinomycetemcomitans. These findings suggest that the characteristics of serotype c may differ from those of the other serotypes. This report is the first to use PCR to describe the distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes in humans and to examine the association between the distribution of A. actinomycetemcomitans serotypes and the presence of P. gingivalis.

Selection of patients for lung volume reduction surgery using a power law analysis of the computed tomographic scan

BACKGROUND

A study was undertaken to test the hypothesis that patients respond better to lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) if their emphysema is confluent and predominantly located in the upper lobes.

METHODS

A density mask analysis was used to identify voxels inflated beyond 10.2 ml gas/g tissue (-910 HU) on preoperative and postoperative CT scans from patients receiving LVRS. These hyperinflated regions were considered to represent emphysematous lesions. A power law analysis was used to determine the relationship between the number (K) and size (A) of the emphysematous lesions in the whole lung and two anatomical regions using the power law equation Y=KA(-D).

RESULTS

The analysis showed a positive correlation between the change in the power law exponent (D) and the change in exercise (Watts) after surgery (r=0.47, p=0.03). There was also a negative correlation between the power law exponent D in the upper region of the lung preoperatively and the change in exercise following surgery (r=-0.60, p<0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

These results confirm that patients with large upper lobe lesions respond better to LVRS than patients with small uniformly distributed disease. Power law analysis of lung CT scans provides a quantitative method for determining the extent and location of emphysema within the lungs of patients with COPD.

Large-scale production and properties of human plasma-derived activated Factor VII concentrate

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES

An activated Factor VII (FVIIa) concentrate, prepared from human plasma on a large scale, has to date not been available for clinical use for haemophiliacs with antibodies against FVIII and FIX. In the present study, we attempted to establish a large-scale manufacturing process to obtain plasma-derived FVIIa concentrate with high recovery and safety, and to characterize its biochemical and biological properties.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

FVII was purified from human cryoprecipitate-poor plasma, by a combination of anion exchange and immunoaffinity chromatography, using Ca2+-dependent anti-FVII monoclonal antibody. To activate FVII, a FVII preparation that was nanofiltered using a Bemberg Microporous Membrane-15 nm was partially converted to FVIIa by autoactivation on an anion-exchange resin. The residual FVII in the FVII and FVIIa mixture was completely activated by further incubating the mixture in the presence of Ca2+ for 18 h at 10 degrees C, without any additional activators. For preparation of the FVIIa concentrate, after dialysis of FVIIa against 20 mm citrate, pH 6.9, containing 13 mm glycine and 240 mm NaCl, the FVIIa preparation was supplemented with 2.5% human albumin (which was first pasteurized at 60 degrees C for 10 h) and lyophilized in vials. To inactivate viruses contaminating the FVIIa concentrate, the lyophilized product was further heated at 65 degrees C for 96 h in a water bath.

RESULTS

Total recovery of FVII from 15 000 l of plasma was approximately 40%, and the FVII preparation was fully converted to FVIIa with trace amounts of degraded products (FVIIabeta and FVIIagamma). The specific activity of the FVIIa was approximately 40 U/ micro g. Furthermore, virus-spiking tests demonstrated that immunoaffinity chromatography, nanofiltration and dry-heating effectively removed and inactivated the spiked viruses in the FVIIa. These results indicated that the FVIIa concentrate had both high specific activity and safety.

CONCLUSIONS

We established a large-scale manufacturing process of human plasma-derived FVIIa concentrate with a high yield, making it possible to provide sufficient FVIIa concentrate for use in haemophiliacs with inhibitory antibodies.

Changes in sodium transport in epithelial cells in a rat ileal-augmented bladder model

OBJECTIVE

To investigate changes in the morphology and sodium transport ability of intestinal epithelium diverted to the urinary tract, using an in vitro sodium-binding benzofuran isophthalate (SBFI) technique, as the effects of long-term urine exposure on the transport of electrolytes through intestine are incompletely understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Ileal augmentation cystoplasty was conducted in female Sprague-Dawley rats; at 3 and 12 months after surgery the serum concentration of sodium, chloride and potassium were measured. Sodium transport in the ileal epithelial cells diverted to the urinary tract was evaluated using SBFI, as the value of the 340/380 nm excitation ratio measured with fluorescence spectrophotometry. The villous height and the number of villi per ileal length were obtained from haematoxylin and eosin-stained sections.

RESULTS

After 3 months the mean (sd) serum sodium concentrations in normal and augmented rats were 140.4 (2.5) and 140.7 (3.5) mmol/L, respectively; the chloride concentration in normal rats was 97.0 (2.9), and in augmented rats at 3 and 12 months it was 102.4 (2.9) and 99.0 (3.7) mmol/L, respectively. At 3 months, chloride concentrations were significantly higher in augmented than in normal rats (P < 0.05). The mean (sd) 340/380 nm ratio increased by 0.85 (0.09) in the normal ileum, and by 0.73 (0.15) and 0.49 (0.23) in the ileum of augmented rats at 3 and 12 months, respectively; the difference between normal and augmented ileum at 12 months was significant (P < 0.05). At 12 months the villous height in the augmented ileum, at 227.6 (16.0) micro m, was significantly less than in the normal ileum, at 803.4 (66.2) micro m (P < 0.05). However, the number of villi/mm ileum in normal and augmented rats at 12 months was 13.7 (1.5) and 15.0 (0.8), respectively, and not significantly different.

CONCLUSION

Sodium transport decreased significantly after long-term exposure to urine; the improvement in metabolic change was probably attributable to alterations of electrolyte transport and atrophic changes of the villus.

Comparison of emptying between gastric and colonic conduits following esophagectomy

The emptying of gastric and colonic conduits following esophagectomy was evaluated. Ten consecutive patients who underwent esophagectomy for malignant diseases were divided into two groups as follows: Group I which consisted of 5 patients who underwent pyloroplasty and in whom the gastric greater curvature was used for reconstruction; and Group II which consisted of 5 patients in whom the colonic conduit was used because of previous gastrectomy. The conduits were placed in the retrosternal spaces in all the patients. The radiopaque markers swallowing test and digestive tract scintigraphy were performed to evaluate emptying two months after surgery. The radiopaque markers swallowing test demonstrated that marker rings quickly disappeared from the gastric conduits but remained in the colonic conduits for as long as three hours. Digestive tract scintigraphy demonstrated that there was no significant difference in the 60-minute clearance rate of 99mTc-DTPA from the conduits between the two groups. The results suggested that tiny food fragments remained in the haustral pockets of the colonic conduits, which may be a disadvantage of these conduits.

Multicentric occurrence of esophageal cancer after gastrectomy: a preliminary report

The effect of gastrectomy on the subsequent development of esophageal cancer was investigated, focusing on its multicentric occurrence. We retrospectively evaluated 28 patients who underwent subtotal esophagectomy for intrathoracic esophageal cancer between 1985 and 1999. They were divided into two groups according to whether or not they had previously undergone a gastrectomy: group 1, comprising 7 patients who had undergone gastrectomy and group 2, comprising 21 patients who had not. Clinical profiles of the patients were obtained from the medical records and the whole resected esophagus was histopathologically examined. The interval between gastrectomy and esophagectomy in group 1 was significantly shorter in the patients who had undergone gastrectomy for gastric cancer than in those who had undergone gastrectomy for a peptic ulcer, and also in the patients for whom anastomosis had been performed by Billroth I compared with Billroth II. The patients in group 1 were significantly younger than those in group 2. The multiple occurrence of esophageal cancer was found in 4 of 5 patients (80%) in group 1, and in 2 of 18 patients (11%) in group 2, with significantly higher frequency being seen in group 1. More than two coexisting cancer lesions apart from the primary tumor were detected in all four patients. Histological examination of all the coexisting cancer lesions showed well-differentiated squamous cell carcinoma confined within the superficial mucosal layer. No significant differences were noted in the location of the coexisting lesions between the oral and anal side of the primary tumors. Squamous dysplasia was randomly observed, especially around the cancer lesions. These findings suggest that gastrectomy precipitated subsequent chronic gastroesophageal reflux which in turn induced the development of squamous dysplasia and carcinoma at multiple locations in the esophagus.

Personality, social support, coping and emotional distress after repeated spontaneous abortions

Systematic investigations on the emotional impacts of repeated spontaneous abortions have been few. We mounted a prospective study of a cohort of couples who had experienced two consecutive first trimester spontaneous abortions and for whom no clearly identifiable causes were found. The present report is based on the first part of the study and examines: (1) emotional distress reported by the miscarrying women at six months (median, range 1-12 months) after two abortions; and (2) psychosocial predictors influencing such distress. The mean score of the women on the Symptom Checklist 90-Revised--one of the most popular self-report scales for psychopathology--was 0.38, whereas that for the general population is reported to be 0.26 (the higher the score, the more psychopathology). Fourteen percent of the cohort scored above the cutoff point for mental disorders screening. Factors examined and found non-influential upon the level of emotional distress include: the maternal age; whether the last pregnancy was planned and wished for or not; and coping styles of the women after the abortions. Control by the husbands over the marital relationship and neurotic personality traits of the women increased the emotional distress, whereas the social support the women perceive decreased it. These findings suggest that martial and social support are important in determining the level of psychiatric morbidity after repeated abortions.

Methyl mercaptan production by periodontal bacteria

Oral malodour is principally caused by volatile sulphur compounds (VSC) such as hydrogen sulphide, methyl mercaptan and dimethyl sulphide. Methyl mercaptan is highly toxic, and its presence within a periodontal pocket suggests involvement in the induction and/or progression of periodontal disease. Methyl mercaptan is produced from L-methionine by L-methionine- alpha -deamino- gamma -mercaptomethane-lyase (METase). METase catalyses the alpha,gamma-eliminating reaction of L-methionine, which results in the release of alpha-ketobutyrate, methyl mercaptan and ammonia. Although methyl mercaptan is produced by a variety of microorganisms, Porphyromonas gingivalis is considered to be the most potent producer. METases of P. gingivalis have been characterised and the genes responsible for their production, the mg/genes, have been sequenced. To ascertain the role of METase in P. gingivalis pathogenicity, a METase-deficient mutant strain (M1217) from P. gingivalis strain W83 was engineered. Only 7.7% of the mice infected with W83 survived 4 days after subcutaneous injection, whereas 36% of the mice infected with M1217 survived over the same time period. Many papers have reported the periodontal pathogenesis of VSC. It has been argued that methyl mercaptan may play a significant role in the pathogenicity of P. gingivalis.

The usefulness of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy in comparison with that of open distal gastrectomy for early gastric cancer

BACKGROUND

The technique of laparoscopy-assisted distal gastrectomy (LADG) was developed for early gastric cancer, but its feasibility and the associated clinical outcome remain unclear.

METHODS

We reviewed 24 patients who underwent LADG (LADG group) and 35 patients who underwent traditional open distal gastrectomy (ODG group) for early gastric cancer in our hospital, and compared the clinical data of the two groups.

RESULTS

The clinical and pathological backgrounds of the patients in the two groups were similar. The duration of surgery was not significantly different between the two groups, but the blood loss in the LADG group was significantly less than that in the ODG group. The number of removed lymph nodes was not significantly different between the two groups. The times to the first passing of flatus, first walking, and the restarting of oral intake; the length of hospital stay; and the duration of epidural analgesia were significantly shorter in the LADG group. The morbidity rate in the LADG group was lower than that in the ODG group.

CONCLUSIONS

LADG is a safe and minimally invasive surgical technique, after which we can expect a faster recovery.

Optically stimulated luminescence in an imaging plate using BaFi:Eu

BaFI:Eu phosphors are fabricated using a new method of synthesis: liquid phase synthesis, in which the phosphor particles are formed through the association of Ba2+ ions, F-ions and Eu2+ ions in solution. An intense optically stimulated luminescence (OSL) peak at about 410 nm is observed by stimulating X ray irradiated BaFI:Eu phosphor with about 550-750 nm light. It is found that the peak wavelength of the optically stimulation spectrum is about 690 nm. This result suggests that the semiconductor laser can be used as the stimulating light source. It is also found that the OSL intensity is increased with increasing the X ray dose. The BaFI:Eu phosphor as a photostimulable material for the imaging plate of a computed radiography system provides the following advantages; (1) high X ray absorption coefficient, (2) high monodispersion in size which would contribute to sharp images, (3) high OSL and thus low luminescence mottle and (4) high DQE (detective quantum efficiency).

Surface charge of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites as revealed by atomic force microscopy with surface potential spectroscopy

Electric charges on the surface of Plasmodium falciparum merozoites and erythrocytes were investigated by atomic force microscopy with surface potential spectroscopy. The apical end of merozoites was positively charged, while the entire erythrocyte surface was negatively charged. Transmission electron microscopy also demonstrated that negatively charged nanogold particles attached to the apical end of merozoites, and cationized ferritin particles attached to the entire surface of the erythrocyte. This indicates that the surface charge at the apical end of the merozoite may play an important role in invasion of the erythrocyte.

Core to rind distribution of severe emphysema predicts outcome of lung volume reduction surgery

Computed tomography (CT) has shown that emphysema is more extensive in the inner (core) region than in the outer (rind) region of the lung. It has been suggested that the concentration of emphysematous lesions in the outer rind leads to a better outcome following lung volume reduction surgery (LVRS) because these regions tend to be more surgically accessible. The present study used a recently described, computer-based CT scan analysis to quantify severe emphysema (lung inflation > 10.2 ml gas/g tissue), mild/moderate emphysema (lung inflation = 10.2 to 6.0 ml gas/g tissue), and normal lung tissue (lung inflation < 6.0 ml gas/g tissue) present in the core and rind of the lung in 21 LVRS patients. The results show that the quantification of severe emphysema independently predicts change in maximal exercise response and FEV(1). We conclude that a greater extent of severe emphysema in the rind of the upper lung predicts greater benefit from LVRS because it identifies the lesions most accessible to removal by LVRS.

Cobalamin deficiency results in severe metabolic disorder of serine and threonine in rats

Dietary cobalamin (vitamin B12; Cbl) deficiency caused significant increases in plasma serine, threonine, glycine, alanine, tyrosine, lysine and histidine levels in rats. In particular, the serine and threonine levels were over five and eight times, respectively, higher in the Cbl-deficient rats than those in the sufficient controls. In addition, some amino acids, including serine and threonine, were excreted into urine at significantly higher levels in the deficient rats. When Cbl was supplemented into the deficient rats for 2 weeks, in coincidence with the disappearance of the urinary excretion of methylmalonic acid (an index of Cbl deficiency), the plasma serine and threonine levels were normalized. These results indicate that Cbl deficiency results in metabolic disorder of certain amino acids, including serine and threonine. The expression level of hepatic serine dehydratase (SDH), which catalyzes the conversion of serine and threonine to pyruvate and 2-oxobutyrate, respectively, was significantly lowered by Cbl deficiency, even though Cbl does not participate directly in the enzyme reaction. The SDH activity in the deficient rats was less than 20% of that in the sufficient controls, and was normalized 2 weeks after the Cbl supplementation. It is thus suggested that the decrease of the SDH expression relates closely with the abnormalities in the plasma and urinary levels of serine and threonine in the Cbl-deficient rats.

Surface-linked liposomal antigen induces ige-selective unresponsiveness regardless of the lipid components of liposomes

We have previously reported that antigen coupled with liposomes induced antigen-specific and IgE-selective unresponsiveness in mice. This antigen preparation was investigated for application in a novel vaccine protocol to induce minimal IgE synthesis. In this study, ovalbumin (OVA)-liposome conjugates were made using liposomes of four different lipid components, including unsaturated carrier lipid and three different saturated carrier lipids, after which the induction of anti-OVA antibody production was investigated in mice. All of the OVA-liposome conjugates induced IgE-selective unresponsiveness. The membrane fluidity of liposomes, as measured by detecting changes in the fluorescence polarization of a 1,6-diphenyl-1,3,5-hexatriene (DPH) probe located in the bilayers, was significantly higher in liposomes consisting of unsaturated carrier lipids than those of the other liposomes consisting of saturated carrier lipids. The highest titer of anti-OVA IgG was observed in mice immunized with OVA-liposomes made using liposomes consisting of unsaturated carrier lipids. In addition, among these OVA-liposomes, the one possessing the longest carbon chain induced the lowest IgG antibody production. These results suggest that the membrane fluidity of liposomes might affect the adjuvant effect of liposomes but not the induction of IgE-selective unresponsiveness in immunizations with surface-linked liposomal antigens.

Phosphatase activities of rat intestinal enterocytes and their relation to diverse luminal pH, with special references to the possible localization of phytase along the brush border membrane

Phosphatase activities associated with the intestinal brush border membrane (BBM) of the rat were examined histochemically in relation to the characteristic environment of the intestine, where luminal pH fluctuates drastically between alkaline and acid pH ranges. Special attention was given to intestinal alkaline phosphatase (IALP) and phytase on the BBM. Whole body fresh-frozen sections of young rats and their rapidly frozen and freeze-substituted small intestines, embedded in Technovit 7100, were processed for the histochemical demonstration of phosphatase activity at three different pH values (9.2, 7.3, and 5.2), representing the deviation of luminal pH in vivo. Either an azo-dye method or lead-salt method was employed using naphthol AS-MX phosphate and ATP as substrate, respectively. With the azo-dye method, intense phosphatase reactions were demonstrated along the BBM at all three pH ranges. Phosphatase reactions of the BBM at pH 9.2 and 7.3 were abolished by L(+)-phenylalanine, heat pre-treatment, and EDTA chelation although some reaction remained at pH 7.3 after the treatment with EDTA or L(+)-phenylalanine. Phosphatase reactions of the BBM at pH 5.2 were resistant to L(+)-phenylalanine, L(+)-tartrate, PCMB and EDTA chelation, implying that the characteristics of the enzyme responsible for phosphohydrolysis at acid pH values differed from those at higher pH values. The lead-salt method in which ATP was used as substrate revealed intense reactions--which were dependent on Mg++ and stimulated by Ca++ and resistant to L(+)phenylalanine--to be localized along the BBM at alkaline and neutral pH values, but not at acid pH values. In vitro experiments showed progressive hydrolysis of naphthol AS-MX phosphate by purified phytase at pH 5.2, in a dose-dependent manner, and suggested the possible involvement of phytase in the phosphatase reactions of the BBM at acid pH. These data indicate that the phosphatase reactions at alkaline and neutral pH values, associated with the BBM of the rat intestine, represent IALP and Mg++/ Ca++-ATPase, while those at acid pH appear to correspond to phytase activity, something which has not been demonstrated by histochemical methods despite the availability of extensive data based on biochemical analyses.

Lysophosphatidic acid enhances airway response to acetylcholine in guinea pigs

Inhalation of lysophosphatidic acid (LPA, 1-100 microg/ml) for 2 min enhanced the airway response induced by intravenous injection of ACh in guinea pigs. At 30 min after inhalation of LPA, the airway response to ACh was two fold higher than that before inhalation. This enhancement of airway response to ACh was partially inhibited by capsaicin desensitization or bilateral vagotomy. These results suggested that the enhancement of airway response to ACh induced by LPA may be due to the activation of capsaicin-sensitive fibers. It can be also contribute to bronchial asthma or other types of pulmonary disease such as cough variant asthma and atopic cough.

Dependence of Threshold Switching Power on the Control-Light Wavelength in a Nonlinear Distributed-Feedback GaInAsP Waveguide

We demonstrate all-optical bistable switching by using orthogonally and parallelly polarized control light in a nonlinear distributed feedback GaInAsP waveguide. When the control light that is orthogonally polarized to the signal light is within its stopband, it is possible to extract the signal without using any external devices. Also, we investigate theoretically and experimentally the dependence of threshold switching power on the wavelength and polarization of control light.

Passive immunization with milk produced from an immunized cow prevents oral recolonization by Streptococcus mutans

Cell surface protein antigen (PAc) and water-insoluble glucan-synthesizing enzyme (GTF-I) produced by cariogenic Streptococcus mutans are two major factors implicated in the colonization of the human oral cavity by this bacterium. We examined the effect of bovine milk, produced after immunization with a fusion protein of functional domains of these proteins, on the recolonization of S. mutans. To prepare immune milk, a pregnant Holstein cow was immunized with the fusion protein PAcA-GB, a fusion of the saliva-binding alanine-rich region (PAcA) of PAc and the glucan-binding (GB) domain of GTF-I. After eight adult subjects received cetylpyridinium chloride (CPC) treatment, one subgroup (n = 4) rinsed their mouths with immune milk and a control group (n = 4) rinsed with nonimmune milk. S. mutans levels in saliva and dental plaque decreased after CPC treatment in both groups. Mouth rinsing with immune milk significantly inhibited recolonization of S. mutans in saliva and plaque. On the other hand, the numbers of S. mutans cells in saliva and plaque in the control group increased immediately after the CPC treatment and surpassed the baseline level 42 and 28 days, respectively, after the CPC treatment. The ratios of S. mutans to total streptococci in saliva and plaque in the group that received immune milk were lower than those in the control group. These results suggest that milk produced from immunized cow may be useful for controlling S. mutans in the human oral cavity.

Embryonic development assay with Daphnia magna: application to toxicity of aniline derivatives

An assay system using Daphnia magna embryos was applied to investigate the adverse effects of aniline derivatives. The data were compared with our previous data for chlorophenols. This new assay provides useful information to evaluate the toxicity of chemicals and the differences in sensitivity between the life stages. The effects of 15 aniline derivatives on embryonic development of D. magna embryos were determined. At the start of exposure, 2-6-h old eggs (between stages 1 and 2, round in shape, diameter approx. 400 microm), were used. In control and solvent control groups, embryonic development from an egg to a free-swimming animal proceeded completely within 3 days with more than 90% hatchability. Median effective concentrations (EC50s) to reduce the numbers hatched were determined and gross morphological abnormalities of hatched animals recorded. Anilines induced no obvious morphological abnormalities and no developmental delay although premature deaths occurred. However, they affected the number of embryos hatching in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, this embryo assay was more sensitive to aniline derivatives (except for aniline) than acute juveniles immobilization assay. Ratios of 48-h EC50 (juvenile)/3-day EC50 (embryo) for eight anilines were greater than 5.0. Particularly, the ratios of 4-methyl-, 4-ethyl- and 3-methylaniline were 77, 23 and 11, respectively. EC50s for embryos and juveniles were poorly correlated (r = 0.41). This indicated that the sensitivities of the two life stages were different to the effects of anilines. EC50s were poorly correlated (r = -0.097) with the log Kow (1-octanol/water partition coefficient). These results were compared with previous results for phenols.

Pyloricidins, novel anti-helicobacterpylori antibiotics produced by Bacillus sp. I. Taxonomy, fermentation and biological activity

Novel anti-Helicobacter pylori antibiotics, pyloricidins A, A1, A2, B, C and D, were discovered in the culture broth of two bacilli strains. Pyloricidins selectively inhibited the growth of H. pylori. Pyloricidin B was efficacious in the treatment of gastric infection caused by H. pylori in Mongolian gerbils and may be promising for cure of H. pylori infection as a single agent.

Inactive corrinoid-compound significantly decreases in Spirulina platensis grown in a cobalt-deficient medium

Spirulina platensis NIES-39 was grown under open culture system in the presence or absence of CoSO(4) (12 microg/L) and/or vitamin B(12) (10 microg/L) to confirm whether CoSO(4) and/or vitamin B(12) stimulate or are essential for growth of the algal cells and for accumulation of vitamin B(12). The addition of CoSO(4) and/or vitamin B(12) could not affect both cell growth and cell yield of the alga. The amount of corrinoid-compound was increased significantly by the addition of CoSO(4) but not by vitamin B(12). A C18 reversed-phase HPLC pattern of the Spirulina corrinoid-compound increased by the addition of CoSO(4) was identical to that of authentic pseudovitamin B(12), which is inactive for human. These results indicate that the algal cells grown in the absence of CoSO(4) are suitable for use of human health foods because the inactive corrinoid-compound can be reduced significantly.

Granule-dependent killing of Toxoplasma gondii by CD8+ T cells

Immunization of mice with live bradyzoites of a low-virulent Beverley strain of Toxoplasma gondii has been shown to increase CD8+ T-cell mediated immunity against a highly virulent RH strain. We found that preimmunization with an RH homogenate further enhanced this immunity. Using this model, we investigated the mechanism of CD8+ T-cell mediated protection against T. gondii infection. Splenic cells from mice immunized with RH homogenate and live bradyzoites stimulated apoptosis of RH-infected J774A.1 macrophages in vitro, and at the same time, the immunization significantly suppressed the proliferation of parasites within macrophages, as assessed by measuring 3H-uracil uptake by the parasites. Splenic cells from the immunized mice produced larger amounts of interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) than did naive splenic cells; however, the production of nitric oxide (NO) by RH-infected macrophages was not enhanced. The elimination of CD8+ T cells from splenic cells significantly reduced their inhibitory action on parasite proliferation as well as their cytotoxic activity against RH-infected macrophages, but it did not affect the production of IFN-gamma. Treatment of CD8+ T-enriched splenic cells from the immunized mice with concanamycin A, but not an anti-Fas ligand monoclonal antibody, significantly reduced their anti-proliferative and killing capabilities, suggesting that the CD8+ T cells induced by immunization with RH antigen and live bradyzoites of the Beverley strain may exert protection against T. gondii infection at least in part through granule-dependent cytotoxic activities.

Capsaicin-like anti-obese activities of evodiamine from fruits of Evodia rutaecarpa, a vanilloid receptor agonist

Evodiamine, a major alkaloidal principle of Evodia fruits (Evodia rutaecarpa, Rutaceae), showed vanilloid receptor agonistic activities comparable to capsaicin. The Chinese literature refers to Evodia fruits as a "hot nature" herb. In spite of the similarities in the actions of evodiamine and capsaicin in vitro, evodiamine has no perceptible taste, including a peppery hot taste. Therefore, the effectiveness of evodiamine and the extract of Evodia fruits in preventing obesity on male C3H mice, or male SD rats were examined. When evodiamine was supplemented at 0.03% of the diet and fed to mice for 12 days, the perirenal fat weight became significantly lower than in the control group. The epididymal fat mass was also decreased in the evodiamine diet group. When evodiamine was supplemented at 0.02% in the form of ethanol extract of Evodia fruits to the high-fat diet and fed to rats for 21 days, the body weight, the perirenal fat weight, epididymal fat weight, the levels of serum free fatty acid, total lipids in the liver, triglyceride in the liver, and cholesterol level in the liver were significantly reduced as compared with the control diet group. Furthermore, both lipolytic activity in the perirenal fat tissue and specific GDP binding in brown adipose tissue mitochondria, as the biological index of enhanced heat production, were significantly increased in the evodiamine fed rats. Fasting mice subcutaneously administered 1-3 mg/kg evodiamine showed decreased core body temperature by 1-2 degrees C. This hypothermic effect was prevented by the pretreatment of intraperitoneally administered 10 mg/kg capsazepine, a vanilloid receptor antagonist. On the other hand, food-sated mice subcutaneously administered 1-3 mg/kg evodiamine showed unchanged core body temperature and increased tail skin temperature by more than 5 degrees C, suggesting the increased energy expenditure by enhanced heat dissipation. In conclusion, we have demonstrated that a novel non-pungent vanilloid receptor agonist, evodiamine, mimics the characteristic anti-obese effects induced by capsaicin. Evodiamine would induce heat loss and heat production at the same time and dissipate food energy, preventing the accumulation of perivisceral fat and the body weight increase.

[Significant role of cisplatin and 5-FU combination chemotherapy for first-line intensive treatment for advanced esophageal cancer]

We evaluated the efficacy of first-line chemotherapy consisting of cisplatin and 5-fluorouracil combination therapy (in the following, FP) in intensive treatment for esophageal cancer. This first-line chemotherapy was administered to 18 patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Three patients had T2 tumor, 10 had T3 and 5 had T4. Lymph node metastasis was detected in 10 patients and not detected in 8 patients. Five patients had distant metastasis. Ten patients showed a partial response and the response rate was 55.6%. Of these 10 patients, 5 were followed with surgery, 3 of whom survived without recurrence of the disease. Five patients were treated by FP, radiation therapy or combination of FP and radiation. Of these 5 patients, 2 showed a complete response. On the other hand, 8 nonresponders died from progressive disease, despite following intensive treatment. These results suggest that first-line chemotherapy by FP, which requires following intensive treatment, improves the overall long-term survival of advanced esophageal cancer patient.

[Usefulness of hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy for liver metastasis in gastric cancer]

We have performed intra-hepatic arterial chemotherapy for 9 patients with liver metastasis arising from gastric cancer. We mainly used 5-FU and CDDP as antineoplastic drugs.

RESULTS

The median survival after gastrectomy was 600 days. Of 9 cases, 2 showed CR, 4 PR, 2 NC, 1 PD. The response rate was 67%. The 9 cases were classified into 2 groups. One group, the short-term survival group, concised of 5 patients that had no more than 2 years survival and the other, the long-term survival group, consisted 4 patients that had more than 2 years survival. We compared these 2 groups and found no difference in the primary lesions between the 2 groups. The patients in the long-term survival group had fewer and smaller metastatic lesions in the liver than the patients of the short-term survival group. The patients in the long-term survival group had no unresectable lesions except liver metastasis when gastrectomy was performed. However, 2 patients in the short term survival group had unresectable lymphatic involvement at the time gastrectomy was performed. Of 9 patients, 6 died from the extrahepatic lesion.

CONCLUSION

The intra-arterial chemotherapy was effective and useful for liver metastasis arising from gastric cancer. However, the majority of patients died from extrahepatic lesions. We should therefore consider the use of systemic chemotherapy with intra-arterial chemotherapy.

Frequency of failure to isolate Shigella spp. by the direct plating technique and improvement of isolation by enrichment in selenite broth

In order to clarify the failure to isolate Shigella spp. by direct plating, we compared frequencies of Shigella spp. isolation by direct plating and by plating after enrichment in selenite broth. A total 67 strains were isolated in this study. The strains of 38 (56.7%) were isolated only by direct plating, and 25 (37.3%) strains were isolated by both direct plating and after enrichment. Four strains (6.0%) were isolated after enrichment but not by direct plating. Since 6% of isolated Shigella spp. were not isolated by direct plating, we recommend that direct plating and additional isolations from selenite broth should be performed. The significance concerning reduction of concentration of sodium selenite in enrichment broth is discussed.

Calorie restriction reduced blood pressure in obesity hypertensives by improvement of autonomic nerve activity and insulin sensitivity

Association between obesity and hypertension has been well recognized. A reduction in the body weight of over-weight hypertensive patients is a recommended lifestyle modification. The purpose of our study is to examine the relationship of insulin sensitivity and autonomic nervous activity with reduction of blood pressure by the calorie restriction. We evaluated the heart rate variability, nocturnal change of blood pressure and insulin resistance before and after a short-term low-calorie diet in 12 overweight essential hypertensives. After a week of standard diet (2000 kcal), 2 weeks of low-calorie diet (800 kcal) with normal sodium content induced a significant reduction in body mass index, triglyceride, fasting immunoreactive protein, homeostasis model assessment as an index of insulin resistance, and urinary excretion of sodium and potassium. Systolic blood pressure was significantly reduced both in daytime and night-time after the low-calorie diet (daytime, 134.5+/-6.0 to 122.0+/-4.1 mmHg; night-time, 126.8+/-5.2 to 113.4+/-7.2 mmHg). In daytime, diastolic blood pressure was also reduced (90.3+/-2.1 to 88.1+/-4.8 mmHg). Although heart rate was not significantly reduced, a rise of high frequency in night-time (346+/-82 to 572+/-108 ms2) and a fall of low frequency/high frequency in day-time (3.5+/-0.4 to 2.6+/-0.1) was significant after a low-calorie diet. In conclusion, weight loss by low-calorie diet with a constant intake of sodium, reduced blood pressure in obese hypertensives by improvement of vagal nervous activity and insulin resistance.

[Evaluation of chemosensitivity testing by CD-DST, and TS and DPD activity in cases of colorectal liver]

We evaluated the usefulness of the following three in vitro assays in cases of resected colorectal liver metastases. Chemosensitivity by collagen gel droplet drug sensitivity test (CD-DST) was very low in all cases, suggesting this method is not predictive for this disease. In contrast, thymidylate synthetase (TS) activity and dihydropyrimidine dehydrogenase (DPD) activity in tumor tissue were high in many patients with recurrent disease. Thus, these enzyme activities are promising for assessment of clinical outcome following hepatic resection of colorectal liver metastases. Further analyses with large numbers of cases are needed to determine the significance of these in vitro studies.