Chemical modification by polyethylene glycol of the anti-tumor enzyme arginine deiminase from Mycoplasma arginini

Amino acid-degrading enzymes are known to inhibit the growth of tumor cells in culture by depleting amino acids in the medium. Here we demonstrate that arginine deiminase (EC 3.5.3.6) from Mycoplasma arginini had stronger growth-inhibitory activity against all 4 kinds of tumor cell lines tested than L-asparaginase and arginase, which are well-known anti-tumor enzymes. Next, chemical modification of the arginine deiminase molecule with polyethylene glycol was shown to enhance its potency as an anti-tumor enzyme. The percentage of modified amino groups per molecule was estimated to be 51% of the total amino groups, and the average molecular weight was estimated to be about 400,000 by gel-filtration HPLC. The enzymic activity of the modified enzyme was 25.5 units/mg protein, which was equivalent to 57% of that of the native enzyme. The modified enzyme strongly inhibited growth of a mouse hepatoma cell line, MH134, at a concentration of more than 10 ng/ml, showing almost the same dose-response curve as the native enzyme. When a bolus of 5 units of the modified enzyme was intravenously injected into male BDF1 mice, L-arginine in the blood completely disappeared within 5 min, and remained undetectable for more than 8 days. On the other hand, in the case of bolus injection of the same number of units of native enzyme, the plasma L-arginine level recovered up to 66% of the control level at 8 days. These results suggest that this modified enzyme has a longer plasma clearance time and may be more effective as a new anti-tumor agent than the native enzyme.

Development of neoglycoproteins conjugated with natural oligosaccharides through carboxyl residues of proteins and its application to recombinant human interleukin 1

In order to develop glycosylated cytokines, neoglycoproteins were synthesized utilizing naturally occurring oligosaccharides. High mannose type oligosaccharide-asparagine (Asn)s, containing Man8GN2-Asn, Man7GN2-Asn and Man6GN2-Asn, were obtained from quail ovalbumin and were coupled to bovine serum albumin (BSA) by carbodiimide-mediated coupling. Major reaction occurred between amino residues of oligosaccharide-Asns and carboxyl residues of BSA. Approximately one molecules of oligosaccharides-Asns were coupled to per molecule of BSA with 50% yield of glycosylation. Among the oligosaccharides, Man6GN2-Asn appeared to be conjugated predominantly. While this strategy was applied to recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (IL-1 alpha), three molecules of oligosaccharide-Asns were introduced into per molecule of IL-1 with 10% yield of glycosylation.

[A case of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha]

A case of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha is reported. A 54-year-old man was admitted to Tane General Hospital on April 12, 1990, with the complaint of difficulty in walking. Abdominal CT scan revealed right renal carcinoma, and MRI demonstrated metastatic spinal tumor at Th6, which was mainly occupying the entire lamina, spinous process and right pedicle of Th6. Nephrectomy was performed and, instead of operating on the spinal lesion, the patient was given follow-up treatment with administration of interferon-alpha (5 million units twice a week) and steroid. 1 year and 6 months later the patient's walking ability began to deteriorate and paraparesis progressed, although the size of the metastatic spinal tumor had gradually reduced. This was thought to be because of atrophy of the legs due to prolonged bed rest and steroid administration. Laminectomy with total removal of the tumor was performed on January 16, 1992. In the 12 months postoperatively, there has been neither recurrence nor remote metastasis seemingly due to the administration of interferon-alpha. This appears to be the first report of metastatic spinal tumor from renal cancer reduced by interferon-alpha.

5-HT3 receptor antagonists. 3. Quinoline derivatives which may be effective in the therapy of irritable bowel syndrome

A series of quinolinecarboxylic acid derivatives has been previously described as a new class of 5-HT3 receptor antagonists due to deviation of a carbonyl moiety from the place of an aromatic ring in their minimum-energy conformations. These derivatives were evaluated in a wrap-restraint stress-induced defecation model in rats. Reference compounds, ondansetron (1), granisetron (2), and YM060 (4), potently inhibited a stress-induced increase in stools excreted from fed rats (ID50 = 0.27, 0.12, and 0.0052 mg/kg, po, respectively). However, quinoline derivatives exhibited different activities depending on structural class. 4-Hydroxyquinoline-3-carboxylic acid derivatives 5 and 6a possess high affinity for the 5-HT3 receptor (Ki = 6.1 and 1.5 nM, respectively) and exhibit potent activity in the Bezold-Jarisch (B-J) reflex test (ED50 = 0.0017 and 0.000 10 mg/kg, i.v., respectively), but they did not effectively inhibit the increase in fecal pellet output at the dose of 1 mg/kg, po. On the other hand, most of 1-substituted 2-oxoquinoline-4-carboxylates 10 showed less potent activity in the B-J reflex test than 1 or 2 but inhibited restraint stress-induced defecation more potently than 1 or 2. The ID50 value of endo-8-methyl-8- azabicyclo[3.2.1]oct-3-yl 1-isobutyl-2-oxo-1,2-dihydro-4- quinolinecarboxylate 10e was 0.013 mg/kg, po. With respect to the selected compounds 6a and 10e, effects of 5-HT- and thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH)-induced defecation, castor oil-induced diarrhea and wrap-restraint stress-induced colonic propulsion in rats were examined. These 5-HT3 receptor antagonists did not effectively inhibit castor oil-induced diarrhea, which has been reported not to be mediated via the 5-HT3 receptor. Although 10e showed 800-fold decreased potency compared with 4 in the B-J reflex test, 10e exhibited activity as potent as 4 in 5-HT- and TRH-induced defecation assays; 10e exhibited 7-fold increased potency compared with 4 in wrap-restraint stress-induced colonic propulsions. From these results, 10e appears to interact selectively with 5-HT3 receptors in the gastrointestinal system and might be effective in the therapy of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS).

CX-397, a novel recombinant hirudin analog having a hybrid sequence of hirudin variants-1 and -3

To elucidate the differential roles of N- and C-terminal halves of hirudins in thrombin inhibition, we produced novel recombinant hirudin analogs, CX-397 and CX-397R, having a hybrid amino acid sequence of hirudin variants-1 (HV-1) and -3 (HV-3). CX-397 is composed of the N-terminal half of HV-1 (HV-11-36) combined with the C-terminal half of HV-3 (HV-337-66). CX-397R is the opposite combination. Their anti-thrombin activity was determined by a fluorogenic enzyme assay and compared with that of recombinant HV-1 (rHV-1) and rHV-3. The order of the magnitude of dissociation constants (Ki) of these four hirudin analogs in thrombin inhibition was as follows: CX-397R (0.294 pM) > rHV-1 (0.148 pM) > rHV-3 (0.0593 pM) > CX-397 (0.0433 pM), indicating that CX-397 is the strongest inhibitor among them.

[CT and MR imaging of post-aortic left brachiocephalic vein]

The usefulness of CT and MR imaging (MRI) for the diagnosis of post-aortic left brachiocephalic vein (PALBV) is discussed. The subjects of the present study consisted of five patients with PALBV, two males and three females, aged four months to sixty years. Chest CT and MRI were performed as a follow-up study of other intrathoracic lesions in two cases, and for further examination of congenital heart diseases in two infant cases. The other patient underwent both CT and MRI to evaluate sporadic chest pain. Therefore, all PALBV were found incidentally. PALBV passes below the aortic arch in front of the trachea, draining the superior vena cava behind the ascending aorta. This finding was particularly well documented on consecutive coronal sections on MRI. In patients with intrathoracic malignant or specific inflammatory lesion, differentiation between PALBV and lymphadenopathy is necessary for treatment. From our experience, marked enhancement on CT and no signal intensity on MRI in PALBV could differentiate this anomaly from mediastinal lymphadenopathy. In two infantile cases with congenital cardiovascular anomalies such as tetralogy of Fallot, right aortic arch and pulmonary arterial stenosis, MRI was found to be superior to CT in demonstrating these anomalies.

Effects of hydrogen peroxide on stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein in rat heart

This study was undertaken to examine the effects of hydrogen peroxide on stimulatory guanine nucleotide-binding protein (Gs), and coupling in the beta-adrenergic receptor-Gs-adenylate cyclase system in rat heart, in vitro. Cardiac membranes were preincubated with various concentrations (0.1, 1, and 10 mM) of hydrogen peroxide at 30 degrees C for 5, 10, 30 and 60 min. Although the assay of beta-adrenergic receptors involving [3H]-dihydroalprenolol ([3H]-DHA) binding revealed that the maximal number of binding sites (Bmax) was not altered, the dissociation constant (Kd) for [3H]-DHA was increased in the presence of 1 mM and 10 mM hydrogen peroxide (control 0.68 +/- 0.16 nM, vs 1 mM H2O2 1.13 +/- 0.16, 10 mM H2O2 1.01 +/- 0.12). Conversely, no significant changes in Gs activities were observed in hydrogen peroxide-treated groups. Adenylate cyclase activity (stimulated by forskolin) was significantly reduced by 10 mM hydrogen peroxide after a 5 min preincubation period (control 277.1 +/- 19.2 pmol cAMP/mg protein/min, H2O2 230.3 +/- 14.9). The amounts of cyclic AMP produced by the stimulation of membranes with GTP, GTP+(l)-isoproterenol, guanylimidodiphosphate (Gpp(NH)p) or Gpp(NH)p+(l)-isoproterenol were significantly lower in 10 mM hydrogen peroxide-treated groups than those in controls (GTP: control 57.6 +/- 5.6 pmol cAMP/mg protein/min vs H2O2 46.4 +/- 6.9, GTP+(l)-isoproterenol: control 83.9 +/- 10.2 vs H2O2 67.7 +/- 10.3, Gpp(NH)p: control 77.5 +/- 8.8 vs H2O2 61.0 +/- 8.6, Gpp(NH)p+(l)-isoproterenol: control 105.0 +/- 13.1 vs H2O2 83.9 +/- 12.2, forskolin: control 223.2 +/- 13.8 vs H2O2 182.8 +/- 18.4).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The association between transfusion and cancer-free survival after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In cases of surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), postoperative intrahepatic recurrence is the main obstacle to long-term survival of patients. The association between perioperative transfusion and recurrence-free survival was studied in 126 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection between 1985 and 1990 and in whom complete follow-up information was available until 1992.

METHODS

Patients who received neither whole blood nor packed erythrocytes during hospitalization formed the no transfusion group (n = 72), and the remaining patients who were given either whole blood or packed erythrocytes during hospitalization constituted the transfusion group (n = 54).

RESULTS

The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of the nontransfused versus transfused groups were 80.6% versus 74.1%, 50.9% versus 33.4%, and 37.1% versus 26.2%, respectively (P = 0.1590). After adjustment for other covariates, the serum albumin level and histological intrahepatic metastasis (im) remained as significant variables for recurrence-free survival. Although there was no association between the erythrocyte transfusion and the recurrence-free survival of the patients with serum albumin levels either more than 3.5 g/dl or less than or equal to 3.5 g/dl, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of the nontransfused versus transfused groups of the patients with im-negative HCC were 92.2% versus 80.0%, 62.6% versus 36.3%, and 47.4% versus 27.1%, respectively (P = 0.0254).

CONCLUSIONS

The association between erythrocyte transfusion and the recurrence-free survival was recognized only in patients with im-negative HCC.

[Clinical studies of renal pelvic and ureteral tumors: an analysis of 611 registered cases and progress of treatment]

A review of 611 cases of renal pelvic or ureter tumor registered in Tokai Urological Tumor Registry for the past 10 years from 1980 and comparison of results between the first and latter half was made. The number of renal pelvis tumor was 347 and that of ureter tumors was 264. Clinical stages and pathological grades of the tumor were as follows; Ta, 11.9; T1, 31.8; T2, 14.4; T3, 24.3; T4, 17.6% and G1, 10.5; G2, 49.3; G3, 33.0%. Higher stages and grades were observed in the recent 5 years. Of 409 cases (66.9% in total cases) treated by total nephroureterectomy, 28.3% of the first and 49.0% of the latter half were treated adjunctively by chemotherapy. Five years relative survival rates of these two groups were 49.4 and 47.3%, respectively, suggesting no improved results. A new treatment strategy such as neoadjuvant chemotherapy or lymphadenectomy is expected to improve the prognosis.

The mutation of codon 249 in the p53 gene is not specific in Japanese hepatocellular carcinoma

Hepatocellular carcinoma samples obtained from 59 patients at surgical resection were examined for mutations of the third base at codon 249 of the p53 gene, using the polymerase chain reaction and oligonucleotide hybridization techniques. This point mutation, which is frequently observed in HCC cases from Southern Africa and Quidong in China, was not recognized in either 60 hepatocellular carcinomas or 53 noncancerous liver tissue samples from Japan. Thirty-four of 45 patients (75.6%) were positive for the hepatitis C virus, which was a higher rate than that for hepatitis B virus infection (9 of 55; 16.4%). The exposure to aflatoxin B1 was not considered to be remarkable. These results suggest that the point mutation of the third base at codon 249 is not common in Japanese patients, and it is suggested that numerous other factors affect the mutation of the p53 gene and the development of hepatocellular carcinoma.

[Postoperative pain relief by continuous epidural infusion: a comparison of three solutions]

The effect of three solutions on postoperative pain relief by continuous epidural infusion was studied. Seventy-five patients after upper or lower abdominal surgeries were assigned to one of three groups and the postoperative pain relief was evaluated for 48 hours. Group I: bolus injection of buprenorphine (Bn) 0.1 mg + saline (S) 8 ml and continuous infusion (2 ml.h-1) of Bn 0.8 mg + S 92 ml; Group II: bolus injection of Bn 0.1 mg + 0.5% bupivacaine (Bc) 4 ml + S 4 ml and continuous infusion of Bn 0.8 mg + S 92 ml; Group III: bolus injection of Bn 0.1 mg + 0.5% Bc 4 ml + S 4 ml and continuous infusion of Bn 0.8 mg + 0.5% Bc 40 ml + S 60 ml. The combination of buprenorphine with low-dose bupivacaine (Group III) offered the most effective postoperative analgesia in three groups without increasing the frequency of adverse effects induced by epidural administration of local anesthetics. However, even in Group III, the percentage of patients complaining of pain at bed rest was still high during early postoperative period (56% at 6 hours postoperatively). The results suggest that further consideration is necessary on agents selection and dosage adjustment for the postoperative epidural analgesia.

[Determination of oxalic acid by high performance liquid chromatography]

In order to determine a reliable method for measuring oxalic acid, we carried out a procedure using high performance liquid chromatography. This method proved to be excellent in the case of tea and beer. In the case of urine, however, it had some problem from the aspect of reproducibility, although as far as linearity measurement, dilution test and recovery rate were concerned, accurate results could be obtained. Nevertheless, this method was thought to be unsuitable for routine clinical use, at least at present, for the reasons that it took a long time to perform the measurement, and because of the high cost of the column used in the procedure. The value of the oxalic acid as determined by this method in 24 hr urine from 12 healthy male volunteers was in the range of 17-47 mg/day (average +/- standard deviation: 25.4 +/- 9.0). To correct for their differences of physical constitution, dividing oxalic acid value by body weight rather than by urinary creatinine or body surface area was found to give a more precise value of the norm. From this calculation, it was thought that the normal range of oxalic acid value was 0.6 mg/kg or less.

Molecular cloning and characterization of a novel neutrophil chemotactic factor from a filarial parasite

To compare the molecular structure of a parasite-derived neutrophil chemotactic factor (NCF) with host-derived NCFs or other NCFs, molecular cloning of cDNA encoding NCF derived from Dirofilaria immitis adult worm (DiNCF) was performed. A D. immitis cDNA library was screened with an antibody to DiNCF, and one DiNCF cDNA clone (pD-4) was isolated. A fusion protein of pD-4 and gene 10 protein showed significant neutrophil chemotactic activity whereas gene 10 protein itself showed marginal neutrophil chemotactic activity. The total nucleotide sequence analysis revealed that pD-4 was 994 bp long with a 432 bp open leading frame encoding a 143 residue protein. The NH2-terminal amino acid sequence of the natural DiNCF and the deduced amino acid sequence from the cDNA showed that the mature functional protein was comprised of 112 amino acids. Although the deduced amino acid sequence of this protein did not show overall homology to host-derived NCFs or other known proteins, it contained a similar sequence (Met-Phe-Lys) to the known chemotactic peptides. The possibility of the functional epitope of DiNCF is discussed.

Insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation is relevant to the phosphorylation of IRS-1 and the activity of PI3-kinase

We examined the role of 185-kDa insulin receptor substrate-1 (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3-kinase) in the signaling pathway of insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. We had already developed a novel cell line to detect GLUT4 on the cell surface, directly and sensitively (Kanai, F., Nishioka, Y., Hayashi, H., Kamohara, S., Todaka, M., and Ebina, Y. (1993) J. Biol. Chem. 268, 14523-14526). We stably expressed a mutant insulin receptor in which Tyr972 was replaced with phenylalanine. Insulin-stimulated tyrosyl phosphorylation of IRS-1 and GLUT4 translocation were decreased in cells expressing the mutant receptor, as compared to findings in cells expressing the normal receptor. Wortmannin, an inhibitor of PI3-kinase, inhibits the insulin-stimulated PI3-kinase activity and GLUT4 translocation at 50 nM, but not the NaF-stimulated GLUT4 translocation. These results suggest that the tyrosine phosphorylation of IRS-1 and activation of PI3-kinase may be involved in the signaling pathway of the insulin-stimulated GLUT4 translocation.

The association between transfusion and cancer-free survival after curative resection for hepatocellular carcinoma

BACKGROUND

In cases of surgery for hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), postoperative intrahepatic recurrence is the main obstacle to long-term survival of patients. The association between perioperative transfusion and recurrence-free survival was studied in 126 patients with HCC who underwent hepatic resection between 1985 and 1990 and in whom complete follow-up information was available until 1992.

METHODS

Patients who received neither whole blood nor packed erythrocytes during hospitalization formed the no transfusion group (n = 72), and the remaining patients who were given either whole blood or packed erythrocytes during hospitalization constituted the transfusion group (n = 54).

RESULTS

The 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of the nontransfused versus transfused groups were 80.6% versus 74.1%, 50.9% versus 33.4%, and 37.1% versus 26.2%, respectively (P = 0.1590). After adjustment for other covariates, the serum albumin level and histological intrahepatic metastasis (im) remained as significant variables for recurrence-free survival. Although there was no association between the erythrocyte transfusion and the recurrence-free survival of the patients with serum albumin levels either more than 3.5 g/dl or less than or equal to 3.5 g/dl, the 1-year, 3-year, and 5-year recurrence-free survival rates of the nontransfused versus transfused groups of the patients with im-negative HCC were 92.2% versus 80.0%, 62.6% versus 36.3%, and 47.4% versus 27.1%, respectively (P = 0.0254).

CONCLUSIONS

The association between erythrocyte transfusion and the recurrence-free survival was recognized only in patients with im-negative HCC.

Isolation and characterization of two forms of Xenopus prolactin

Two forms of highly purified prolactin (PRL) were obtained from pituitary glands of Xenopus laevis by extraction of acetone-dried powder with acid acetone and high-performance liquid chromatography on anion exchange, gel filtration, and reverse-phase columns. Purification was monitored by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (SDS-PAGE) and Western blot analysis employing antiserum against bullfrog PRL. The Xenopus prolactins (xPRL-I and xPRL-II) thus obtained were shown to have similar molecular weights of 23,000 as determined by SDS-PAGE. The isoelectric points of xPRL-I and xPRL-II determined by isoelectric focusing were 5.6 and 5.3, respectively. Both hormones blocked T4-induced shrinkage of Xenopus tadpole tail fin in vitro. The amino acid compositions of the xPRLs resembled that of bullfrog PRL. The partial amino acid sequences of xPRL-I and of xPRL-II showed 78 and 68% homology with the comparable portion of the sequence of bullfrog PRL, respectively. Homology between xPRL-I and xPRL-II was 90%.

Isolation of substances from glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibiting the mutagenicity of benzo[a]pyrene in bacteria

Methanol and hot-water extracts of glossy privet (Ligustrum lucidum Ait.) inhibited the mutagenic activity of benzo[a]pyrene in Salmonella typhimurium TA98 with S9 mix. The methanol extract was fractionated with ether and n-hexane. As the active components, oleanolic and ursolic acids were isolated, which were soluble in ether and insoluble in n-hexane. The hot-water extract was fractionated to water, 60% and 100% methanol fractions. Nuezhenide was isolated from the 60% methanol fraction as the active component.

Effect of TYB-2285 on antigen-induced histamine release from mouse bone marrow-derived persisting cells (P-cells) primed with interleukin-3-containing conditioned medium (IL3-CM)

1. The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of TYB-2285 [3,5-bis(acetoxyacethylamino)-4-chlorobenzonitrile] on histamine release from persisting cells (P-cells) primed with interleukin-3-containing conditioned medium (IL3-CM). 2. IL3-CM enhanced antigen-induced histamine release from P-cells, although IL3-CM did not affect spontaneous histamine release. 3. TYB-2285 inhibited antigen-induced histamine release in the presence of IL3-CM, although it did not inhibit histamine release in the absence of IL3-CM. 4. The enhancement of histamine release by IL3-CM was reproduced by recombinant IL-3 (1-100 U/ml). 5. These results demonstrate that TYB-2285 inhibits the histamine release primed with IL-3 and also suggests that TYB-2285 might regulate allergic inflammation in vivo by the suppression of mediator release primed with IL-3.

[Clinical effects of transabdominal simple hysterectomy on micturition function]

We prospectively investigated micturition function in 68 women who were operated on by transabdominal simple hysterectomy for uterine myoma. Twelve parameters including stress urinary incontinence, obstructive symptoms, irritative symptoms, uroflow curves and amount of residue were subjectively or objectively evaluated before surgery and a mean of 4.4 months post-operatively. Though 55 patients (81%) had had one or more symptoms of micturition disorders prior to operation, surgery significantly reduced this number to 32 (47%) (p < 0.01). Hysterectomy significantly decreased the number of patients suffering from stress urinary incontinence, weak urinary stream, straining micturition, interrupted stream, urgency and frequency in the daytime. The relationship between the weight of the uterus removed and pre-operative symptoms of micturition disorders was assessed. Interrupted stream was present significantly more in the patients with a uterus weighing less than 400 grams and urgency in the patients with a uterus weighing more than 401 grams. We conclude that transabdominal simple hysterectomy is of use to improve micturition disorders pre-operatively recognized.

The inhibitory effect of substance P antagonist, CP-96,345, on the late discharges of nociceptive neurons in the rat superficial spinal dorsal horn

The effects of local spinal applications of the substance P antagonist, CP-96,345, on the electrically-evoked discharges of nociceptive neurons were examined in the superficial spinal dorsal horn of adult rats anesthetized with sodium pentobarbital. Extracellular single-unit recordings were made from lumbar spinal dorsal horn neurons which were excited by noxious mechanical stimulation and had early and late discharges evoked by A- and C-fiber inputs, respectively, following transcutaneous electrical stimulation. CP-96,345 was applied directly onto the surface of the spinal cord close to the recording sites. A dose of 50 nmol of CP-96,345 drastically inhibited the late discharges of 80% of neurons, without affecting early discharges significantly. This study demonstrated the specific inhibitory effect of CP-96,345 on the late discharges of a restricted population of spinal dorsal horn neurons. These results illustrate the important role of substance P in nociceptive transmission mediated by primary afferent C-fibers in normal acute pain.

Cytotoxicity of Porphyromonas gingivalis toward cultured human gingival fibroblasts

Direct cytotoxicity of black-pigmented anaerobic rods was studied on the confluent monolayer of human gingival fibroblasts in vitro. Only strains of Porphyromonas gingivalis caused morphological alteration (cell-rounding) and notable depression of viability of fibroblasts. To determine the location of the cytotoxicity, bacterial surface components, i.e., outer membrane, lipopolysaccharide, fimbriae and outer membrane vesicles were prepared from P. gingivalis and their cytotoxicity was assessed. Among these preparations, only outer membrane vesicles are supposed to have high affinity to human gingival fibroblasts, and the cytotoxicity of outer membrane vesicles was found to be much stronger than that of the other constituents. This cytotoxic factor seemed to consist largely of protein and to be associated with the enzyme activity of outer membrane vesicles. The effects of some protease inhibitors and L-cysteine on the cytotoxicity of outer membrane vesicles suggest that the mechanism of cell-rounding is different from that of cell death.

Smaller number of large myelinated fibers and focal myelin thickening in mutant quails deficient in neurofilaments

The peripheral nervous system of a mutant of a Japanese quail deficient in neurofilaments (mutant) and of a normal Japanese quail (control) was morphometrically evaluated to characterize the morphological findings, especially those of the myelinated fibers of the mutant. In the proximal peroneal nerves, the frequency of the teased myelinated fibers showing the focal myelin thickening was higher in mutant than in control (P < 0.001) without obvious ongoing axonal degeneration and segmental demyelination. The total numbers of the myelinated fibers in the proximal and distal peroneal nerve, and in the tibial nerve branch to gastrocnemius muscle (pars medialis) were similar between control and mutant, although the number of the large myelinated fibers was less (P < 0.01) and the number of the small myelinated fibers was greater (P < 0.01) in mutant compared with control. The median diameters of neuronal cell bodies of the sacral dorsal root ganglia were similar in control and mutant. The percentages of light, dark and unclassified cells evaluated based on the histologic cytoplasmic features were also similar in control and mutant. Therefore, morphometric alterations were more pronounced in the peripheral myelinated nerve fibers compared with those in the cell bodies of the spinal dorsal root ganglia. We concluded that a smaller number of large myelinated fibers with a greater number of small myelinated fibers and the presence of focal myelin thickening are the main morphologic findings in this mutant, probably due to the arrest of radial growth or maturation of the axons of the myelinated fibers in the absence of ongoing myelinated fiber degeneration.

The ability of QRST isointegral maps to detect myocardial infarction in the presence of simulated left bundle branch block

The clinical value of QRST isointegral maps (I-maps) for the detection of myocardial infarction (MI) in the presence of left bundle branch block (LBBB) was investigated. We recorded I-maps during sinus rhythm and right ventricular (RV) pacing, which simulated LBBB, in 62 patients with MI (42 patients had at least one akinetic segment and the remaining 20 patients had only hypokinesis or normal contraction) and 26 patients without MI. An abnormal decrease in the QRST value of the I-map was assessed by the difference map (D-map), which indicated a '-2SD area', where the QRST integral value was less than the lower limit of the normal range (mean -2SD) calculated from 608 normal individuals. The I-maps recorded during the two activation sequences were similar to each other in patients with and without MI (r = 0.87 and 0.92, respectively). The '-2SD area' was located over the left anterior chest in patients with an anterior MI and over the lower torso in patients with an inferior MI during each activation sequence. We were able to diagnose MI during simulated LBBB with a sensitivity of 84%, a specificity of 81% and a diagnostic accuracy of 83% when we used the criterion that MI is present if the sum of QRST integral values below the normal range (sigma DM) exceeds 100 mV.ms. We were able to diagnose an akinesis with a sensitivity of 81%, a specificity of 85% and a diagnostic accuracy of 83% when we used the criterion that akinesis is present if sigma DM exceeds 500 mV.ms during simulated LBBB.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution Pattern of Saponins in Different Organs of Glycyrrhiza glabra

Soyasaponins were detected by GC and GC-MS in different organs of GLYCYRRHIZA GLABRA, particularly in the seed, hypocotyl and rootlet, whereas glycyrrhizin was detected exclusively in the thickening root and the stolon. An inverse relationship was found between the soyasaponins content and the glycyrrhizin content in the growing stolon and in the roots at different stages of growth.

Epithelial cell kinetics with atelocollagen membranes: a study in rats

A recent development in guided tissue regeneration procedures is the use of resorbable membranes, which eliminate the need for subsequent surgical removal. In this study we performed flap surgery in rats with (experimental) or without (control) implantation of one of the newer materials, atelocollagen. We observed the gingival epithelial cell kinetics using 3H-thymidine and examined the extent of gingival epithelium migration. Histological observations at day 1 on the experimental side demonstrated regenerated epithelium apposed to the collagen membrane with an intervening layer of necrotic tissues and/or fibrinous exudate. There was no observable proliferation of regenerated epithelium toward the root apex. On day 14, the regenerated epithelium migrated apically along the treated root surface in the control group. By contrast, on day 14 in the experimental group, the regenerated epithelium contacted the root surface at the cemento-enamel junction (CEJ). Apical to the CEJ, there was new cementum formation with inserting connective tissue fibers. Autoradiographs from day 1 experimental sides demonstrated labeled cells in the basal cell layers from oral, crevicular, and junctional epithelium. From day 1 to day 5, labeling indices of oral epithelium and regenerating crevicular epithelium on experimental sides were lower than on control sides. These histological and autoradiographic findings suggest that atelocollagen membrane inhibits apical migration of regenerating epithelium and accelerates connective tissue reattachment in part by inhibiting the mitotic function of basal epithelial cells in early stages of wound healing.