Aggregation of DNA enhanced by the protoberberine alkaloids, coralyne and berberine

The aggregation of DNA caused by coralyne was studied by spectroscopic, viscosity and electric birefringence measurements. Aggregation was markedly enhanced over a narrow range of coralyne to DNA phosphate ratio and then followed by precipitation. The electric birefringence measurements indicated that the ratio at the maximal aggregation varied depending on the concentration of coralyne, finally reaching 1:1 at higher concentrations. The particles (type I) for such enhanced aggregation were estimated to be prolate ellipsoids 1700-4000 A in length with a diameter of 1400-4000 A. At higher coralyne concentrations, another particle (type II) was formed which was a thick rod-like particle 1700-4000 A in length with a diameter of 120-210 A. These dimensions indicate that type I and II particles consist respectively of several tens of thousands and some hundreds of molecules of DNA. On the other hand, berberine did not produce such a marked aggregation of DNA, and the result was a thick rod-like particle 1700-4000 A in length with a diameter of 300-1000 A. The enhancement by coralyne and berberine is discussed in terms of intermolecular interactions.

Immunolocalization of complement C1s and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (92kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) in the primary ossification center of the human femur

The first component of complement C1s has been shown to degrade type I and type II collagens (Yamaguchi et al. 1990), the latter of which is a major constituent of the cartilage matrix. In order to understand the physiological roles of C1s in cartilage resorption, the expression of C1s was examined by immunohistochemistry in the primary ossification center where the matrix is removed and replaced by bone marrow. Hypertrophic chondrocytes, endothelium and hematogenous elements in the capillary buds were intensely stained by a monoclonal antibody against C1s. Matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9, 92kDa gelatinase/type IV collagenase) was also immunolocalized in hypertrophic chondrocytes, mesenchymal cells in the primitive bone marrow and the cartilage matrix adjacent to the marrow. In addition, C1s was found to activate the zymogen of MMP-9. These observations suggest that C1s and MMP-9 coordinately participate in matrix degradation in cartilage.

Cloning of cDNAs for cecropins A and B, and expression of the genes in the silkworm, Bombyx mori

cDNA clones coding cecropins A and B were isolated from a cDNA library constructed from the fat body of immunized Bombyx mori larvae. The cloned cDNAs had an open reading frame of 63 amino acids, indicating the primary translated peptides were processed to form mature cecropins of 35 amino acid residues. The homology in the coding regions of cecropins A and B was 73%. In immunized fat body, the expression of both cecropin A and B genes reached the maximal level 5 h after the injection of soluble peptidoglycan, and the high level was maintained until 9 h after immunization. The cecropin A and B genes were expressed at high levels in fat body and hemocytes, at lower but significant levels in malpighian tube, slightly in midgut, and none in silk gland.

Detection of DNA of causative agent of spotted fever group rickettsiosis in Japan from the patient's blood sample by polymerase chain reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied for the etiological diagnosis of spotted fever group (SFG) rickettsiosis in Japan. Nucleotide primers derived from the 17-kDa antigen gene of Rickettsia rickettsii primed a rickettsia-specific 246-base-pair product for all of the Katayama, Abe, Misaka and Kojima strains, which we had isolated previously. Moreover, we were able to detect the same product by PCR amplification from the peripheral blood of a patient in the acute stage of the illness. The PCR method is considered to be useful for rapid etiological diagnosis of SFG rickettsiosis in Japan.

Pancreatic beta-cell secretory defect associated with mitochondrial point mutation of the tRNA(LEU(UUR)) gene: a study in seven families with mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes (MELAS)

Recent evidence suggests possible linkage between diabetes mellitus and mitochondrial gene mutation. We surveyed mitochondrial tRNA(LEU(UUR)) (3243) mutation in 7 mitochondrial encephalomyopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episode (MELAS) families and identified 24 mutated subjects (7 MELAS probands and 17 non-MELAS relatives) as well as 11 non-mutant family members. An OGTT in the 24 mutant relatives revealed 14 diabetic subjects, 3 with impaired glucose tolerance and 7 with normal glucose tolerance and all non-mutant family members as having normal glucose tolerance. Insulinogenic index was significantly reduced in the mutant diabetic subjects and those with impaired and normal glucose tolerance in comparison with the normal control subjects and the non-mutant members. Urinary 24-h C-peptide immunoreactivity excretion was markedly reduced in the mutant diabetic subjects and those with normal and impaired glucose tolerance, compared with the control subjects and the non-mutant family members. Plasma C-peptide immunoreactivity 6 min after glucagon injection was markedly reduced in the mutant diabetic subjects and those with normal and impaired glucose tolerance compared with the control subjects and the non-mutant family members. Si, an index of insulin sensitivity of the four mutant subjects was within normal range. Islet cell antibodies were negative in sera of eight mutated diabetic subjects, 2 and 6 with impaired and normal glucose tolerance, respectively. Diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy were demonstrated in 7 (50%) and 12 (85.7%) of 14 mutant diabetic subjects, respectively.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

[Right ventricular function after aorto-coronary bypass surgery: with relation to the site of right coronary artery occlusion]

Postoperative right ventricular function was evaluated serially by thermodilution techniques (REF-1, Edwards Laboratories) in patients who underwent aorto-coronary bypass surgery with uneventful postoperative recovery. The patients were divided into three groups depending on the location of critical stenosis of the right coronary artery. The stenosis was proximal to the right ventricular branch in group I (n = 13), distal to the right ventricular branch but proximal to the acute marginal branch in group II (n = 13) and distal to the acute marginal branch in group III (n = 11). Control (n = 20) consisted of the patients with no significant stenosis of the right coronary artery. Cardiac index, intracardiac pressures and amount of cathecolamin used during postoperative course showed no significant differences among the groups including control. With the use of cathecolamine after surgery, right ventricular ejection fraction (RVEF) rose and right ventricular volumes (RVEDV and RVESV) decreased in all the groups except for group I. These values in group I were unchanged. Thus, there were significant differences in RVEF, RVEDV and RVESV between group I and control. These results mean that right ventricular dysfunction may remain even long after occlusion of the proximal right coronary artery.

[Perioperative management of a patient with myotonic dystrophy developing the cardiac symptoms initially prior to the neuromuscular symptoms]

The authors anesthetized a 48-year-old woman with endometrial cancer and a large ovarian cyst. She developed cardiac failure initially followed by the sick sinus syndrome and A-V block from hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, prior to neuromuscular symptoms. Epidural anesthesia assisted by general anesthesia was carried out safely without intravenous administration of any muscle relaxants. From this experience, it is considered that epidural anesthesia assisted with some other proper methods is suitable for surgery of lower abdomen.

Adiabatic amplification of solitons by means of nonlinear amplifying loop mirrors

We study the transmission properties of a nonlinear amplifying loop mirror that acts as an adiabatic amplifier of solitons. The adiabatic nature of the operation is quantified by evaluation of the energy and the Hamiltonian of dispersive-wave components contained in the output pulse. Near-adiabatic amplification is possible, and a chirp-free solition can be generated with an amplification ratio (compression ratio) of ~2 by a proper design of the device.

Determination of dephosphate bromofenofos in milk by liquid chromatography with electrochemical detection

A sensitive, specific method for the determination of dephosphate bromofenofos (DBFF) in milk by liquid chromatography (LC) with electrochemical detection is described. DBFF, the only metabolite of bromofenofos (BFF, a fasciolicide), was extracted from milk by liquid-liquid partition with acetone, acetonitrile, and dichloromethane and purified by using a C18 cartridge. The compound was separated from the matrix peaks by reversed-phase LC and detected by dual-electrode coulometric detection on a Kaseisorb LC ODS-300-5 (250 x 4.6 mm id, 5 microns) column. The mobile phase was acetonitrile-0.05M potassium dihydrogen phosphate (55 + 45, v/v) at pH 3.0. The flow rate was 1 mL/min at 40 degrees C. The applied potentials of detectors 1 and 2 were maintained at 0.30 and 0.45 V, respectively. Average recoveries (n = 5) of DBFF from milk spiked at 1 and 10 ng/mL were 73.1 and 82.7%, respectively; and coefficients of variation were 8.4 and 2.8%, respectively. The detection limit of DBFF in milk was 0.2 ng/mL. Fifty-nine raw and 181 commercial milks were analyzed. DBFF was detected in 4 raw milks (0.2-1.5 ng/mL; average, 0.6 ng/mL) and in 3 normal liquid commercial milks (0.3-0.7 ng/mL; average, 0.5 ng/mL). The identity of DBFF from milk was confirmed by gas chromatography/mass spectrometry.

Split dose iodine-123-IMP SPECT: sequential quantitative regional cerebral blood flow change with pharmacological intervention

At least two quantitative rCBF measurements are needed to evaluate rCBF changes with pharmacological intervention. We have developed the split dose 123I-IMP SPECT method, which enables measurement of rCBF to be repeated in a short time.

METHODS

Thirty-one cerebrovascular disease patients were investigated to assess reproducibility and vasoreactivity to acetazolamide. During 44-min dynamic SPECT imaging, 123I-IMP injection and respective arterial sampling were performed twice at an interval of about 25 min. The rCBF values were calculated using a microsphere model in which the washout of 123I-IMP from the brain can be negligible in the first several minutes after injection. For the second rCBF measurement, the remaining activity due to the first 123I-IMP injection was estimated and subtracted from the total brain activity.

RESULTS

In ten patients, two consecutive resting mean rCBF values in the MCA territory (CBF1 and CBF2) had good correlation (CBF1 = 47.4 +/- 4.0 (ml/min/100 ml: mean +/- s.d.), CBF2 = 45.2 +/- 8.2, CBF2 = 0.900*CBF1 + 2.9, r = 0.915). In 11 patients with occlusive lesions in the unilateral ICA system, mean rCBF in the MCA territory was increased by only 27.7% +/- 14.0% in the affected side by a 1-g intravenous acetazolamide injection, while 44.5% +/- 12.3% increase was found in the nonaffected side. In 10 patients without a major arterial lesion, a 49.7% +/- 17.0% increase of rCBF was demonstrated.

CONCLUSIONS

This split dose method 123I-IMP SPECT can be useful to estimate vascular reserve.

Characteristic bright signal of parotid pleomorphic adenomas on T2-weighted MR images with pathological correlation

The purpose of this study was to correlate the MR features and histological findings of pleomorphic adenomas, which are the most common tumour of the parotid gland, and to distinguish them from other types of tumour in the parotid gland. The materials studied consisted of 20 pleomorphic adenomas, including 12 untreated and eight recurrent cases, 17 other benign parotid tumours, and 12 malignant tumours. T1- and T2-weighted images and Gd-DTPA enhanced T1-weighted images were obtained. Characteristic bright signals with a higher intensity than that of CSF were seen in all of the pleomorphic adenomas on T2-weighted images, and were found to represent myxoid areas histologically. Although the cystic spaces in some benign tumours produced bright signals, these areas were distinguished from myxoid areas due to nonenhancement with Gd-DTPA. No bright signals were seen in the malignant tumours. In conclusion, bright signals on T2-weighted images represent myxoid tissue and are useful findings for diagnosing pleomorphic adenomas.

Development of an ELISA assay for soluble CD35 (C3b/C4b receptor): high levels of soluble CD35 in LE-positive patients with hematological malignancies

Malignant cells usually lack CD35 (complement receptor type 1, C3b/C4b receptor), a differentiation surface antigen. We measured soluble forms of CD35 in the plasma of normal subjects and patients with various malignant diseases. A microassay for the determination of CD35 was established based on a sandwich enzyme immunoassay using 2 monoclonal antibodies that recognize different epitopes. Soluble CD35 was not detected in any plasma samples from normal subjects or from patients with a variety of solid cancers: i.e., levels were below 20 ng/ml. On the other hand, 3 of 70 patients with hematological malignancies showed high levels of plasma CD35. The molecular mass of the soluble form was about 200 kDa, which is similar in size to membrane forms of CD35. Although the clinical conditions differed in these patients, they had high transaminase titers and detectable autoantibody. Complement titers (CH50) and the levels of membrane complement regulatory proteins were within the normal range in these patients. Although the mechanism by which it is produced remains unknown, soluble CD35 is present in significant amounts in association with immunological disorders secondary to hematological malignancies.

Production of fibroblast proliferative cytokines from T lymphocytes stimulated by a B cell lymphoma line and their functional heterogeneity

Human mononuclear leukocytes (MNL) produced several factors with fibroblast proliferation activity (FPA) for HFL-1, a human lung fibroblast cell line, when MNL were cocultured with irradiated BALL-1, a B cell lymphoma line (BCLL), but not with other BCLL. The cellular source of BALL-1-induced FPA seemed to be CD4-positive T lymphocytes. On isoelectric electrophoresis, major activity of BALL-1-induced FPA was detected in the fractions around pH 4-5, and minor activity was present in the fractions around pH 6-7. Major BALL-1-induced FPA consisted of at least 4 different fibroblast proliferation factors (FPFs) according to their molecular weight; 320-600 kDa (P-I), 50-110 kDa (P-II), 22-38 kDa (P-III) and 4.6-11 kDa (P-IV). P-I had affinity to heparin though the rest had little or no affinity. FPA of P-I was suppressed by an antibody against acidic FGF, and FPA of P-III was suppressed by an antibody against IL-6. On the other hand, FPA of P-II and P-IV was suppressed by none of the antibodies against cytokines with FPA, such as FGF, IL-4, IL-6, IFN-gamma, TGF-beta and TNF-alpha. It was thus suggested that P-I was acidic FGF, that P-III was IL-6, and that P-II and P-IV were different cytokines from those described above. Furthermore, it was found that P-II and P-IV failed to exhibit proliferation activity for human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Direct, concentration-dependent inhibition by taurocholate of pancreatic exocrine secretion and CCK release in conscious rats

In conscious rats, bile inhibits pancreatic secretion. The role of luminal taurocholate (TC), a major component of rat bile, in the regulation of pancreatic secretion was studied in conscious rats with external bile and pancreatic fistulae. On the fourth postoperative day, after the basal collection of bile and pancreatic juice (PJ) returned to the duodenum, graded doses of TC (0, 0.4, 4, 40 mM) containing 10 mM CaCl2 were infused into the duodenum instead of bile and PJ for 2 hr (1 ml/hr), with or without 1 mg/ml of porcine trypsin. Luminal trypsin activities were not affected by any dose of TC. The increases in pancreatic secretion in response to diversion of bile and PJ were progressively inhibited with increasing doses of infused TC from 0 mM to 4 mM both with and without trypsin infusion. The effects with 4 and 40 mM TC were not significantly different. Changes in plasma cholecystokinin concentrations roughly correlated with changes in protein output in rats without trypsin infusion. We concluded that TC directly inhibited pancreatic secretion independent of the luminal trypsin activity and that its inhibitory action was concentration dependent.

Identification and characterization of membrane cofactor protein (CD46) in the human kidneys

Membrane cofactor protein (MCP, CD46) is an integral protein that serves as a cofactor for factor I in inactivating C3b/C4b deposited on the same cell membrane as C3bi/C4c+C4d. This C3b/C4b inactivation is closely associated with self-protection of host cells from autologous complement attack. We have studied the distribution and properties of MCP in the normal human kidney by immunohistochemical and immunoblotting methods using monoclonal antibodies against MCP. MCP was predominantly expressed on the juxtaglomerular apparatus. Glomerular capillary walls, mesangial areas, and tubulus were also MCP positive. Glomerulus MCP was composed of two major bands of 45-65 kDa, which were similar to those of lymphocyte MCP. The proportion of the high and low molecular weight components in glomerulus MCP, however, was considerably different from that of lymphocyte MCP among the individual samples tested. Glomerular epithelial cells and mesangial cells from an individual having equal amounts of high and low molecular weight components in the lymphocytes were cultured separately and the properties of their MCP investigated. MCP in the mesangial cells and glomerular epithelial cells showed profiles in which the upper band was predominant. The results may explain the unique distribution of the high and low molecular weight forms in the glomerulus. These forms of MCP together with factor I were all capable of inactivating C3b to C3bi. Message analysis suggested that glomerular epithelial cells and mesangial cells synthesized a single species of mRNA of 4.2 kb from which the polymorphic MCP species were generated. Flow cytometric analysis suggested that MCP was minimal in mesangial cells. These results, taken together with the previous reports on the distribution of other complement regulatory proteins, infer that the distribution profile of MCP is rather similar to that of DAF but differs from those of CD59 and CR1 in the normal human kidney; this may reflect the differences between their roles or functional properties in renal tissue.

[Quantitative flow-cytometric analysis of CD34-positive stem cells in peripheral blood stem cell harvests]

The percentage of CD34-positive cells (the CD34-positive rate) in peripheral blood stem cell harvests (PBSCH) was determined using two color flow cytometric methods, i.e., representation in a histogram (the histogram method) and the two-dimensional side scatter-fluorescence representation (the SSC-FL method). For all samples examined, the CD34-positive rate obtained using the histogram method was higher than that obtained using the SSC-FL method. This finding was probably due to the fact that some monocytes non-specifically reacted with anti-CD34 monoclonal antibody, and the histogram method could not distinguish these non-specifically stained cells from CD34-positive precursor cells. On the other hand, the SSC-FL method seemed to yield a more accurate measurement of the percentage of CD34-positive cells in PBSCH samples. Based on this finding, it is recommended that the histogram method, which is currently used at most commercial laboratories, be reviewed in favor of the SSC-FL method when the CD34-positive cell rate of PBSCH is to be determined.

[Reoperations for valvular heart disease through repeated median sternotomy incision]

One thousand and three hundred patients underwent open heart surgery for acquired valvular diseases in our hospital from 1952 through December 1993. There were 105 reoperative cases through repeated median sternotomy incision and 52 cases of prosthetic valve replacement by the same operator in the last 5 years. We studied technical procedures by these reoperative experience. There was only one case (1.9%) of hospital death in replacement cases. We believe that repeated open heart surgery for acquired valvular diseases should be done prior to deterioration of patient's clinical condition. We had to pay attention to facilitate mobilization of right atrium and aortic root in the aortic and mitral valvular reoperations. To decrease operative mortality of prosthetic valve replacement, each operative techniques were necessary by the reasons for reoperation.

[Radical radiation therapy of hepatocellular carcinoma]

Sixteen patients with residual or recurrent HCC following TAE were treated by radiation therapy (RTx). The total dose ranged from 58-64 Gy(TDF 99-113). RTx was performed between June 1988 and March 1991. A daily dose of 2 Gy, 5 days/week, or 3 Gy, 3 days/week, delivered by LINIAC 10 MV X-ray was selected. Tumors in the upper or lateral portion of the right lobe of the liver were selected in order to avoid radiation of the gastrointestinal organs. Liver function was evaluated by monitoring the clinical stage (General Rules for the Clinical and Pathological Study of Primary Liver Cancer, Liver Cancer Study Group of Japan) before and after RTx. Local control rates following RTx were 75% at 6 months, 45% at 1 year, 45% at 2 years and 36% at 3 years. Survival rates following initial therapy were 87.5% (1 year), 50% (2 years) and 34.3% (3 years). Among patients in clinical stages II and III, liver function tended to be aggravated following RTx, whereas patients in clinical stage I tended to remain in stage I. A Radiation dosage of 60 Gy is tolerable if patients in clinical stage I are selected and the gastrointestinal organs are excluded from the radiation field.

Distribution of glutamate- and GABA-immunoreactive neurons projecting to the vasomotor center of the intermediolateral nucleus of the lower thoracic cord of Wistar rats: a double-labeling study

The purpose of this study was to survey distribution of glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons in the brainstem with projections to the vasomotor center in the intermediolateral nucleus of the T11 segment of Wistar rats. This was done with retrograde transport of WGA-HRP and immunoreaction to glutamate and GABA. HRP/glutamate-labeled neurons were distributed in the rostral ventrolateral medulla (RVLM, 29%), A5 noradrenaline cell area (16%), paraventricular nucleus of the hypothalamus (14%) and caudal ventrolateral medulla (CVLM, 11%), while HRP/GABA-labeled neurons in the RVLM (65%) and CVLM (24%). This indicates that the glutamatergic and GABAergic neurons projecting to the spinal vasomotor center originate mainly from the RVLM and CVLM.

Comparison of the functional occlusal plane in adults with class III malocclusion showing open bite and non-open bite

A retrospective study of lateral cephalograms of 24 Japanese adults with Class III malocclusion was made in order to compare the angles of the horizontal plane between open bite and non-open bite cases. The following results were obtained: i) There was no significant difference in the angle of the NF-upper occlusal plane between the open bite and non-open bite groups. ii) There were significant differences between the two groups in the angle of the SN-upper and lower occlusal planes, the FH-upper and lower occlusal planes and MP-lower occlusal plane. There was also a significant difference between the groups in the distance from the Xi point to the upper occlusal plane. iii) In both the open bite and non-open bite groups there was a wide variation in occlusal plane angles, compared with normal cases.

Egg-jelly signal molecules for triggering the acrosome reaction in starfish spermatozoa

It was in the early 1950s that J.C. Dan discovered the acrosome reaction in sea urchins, starfishes and several other marine invertebrates at Misaki Marine Biological Station on the Pacific coast of Japan. We now know that in many animals including mammals the acrosome reaction is an essential, and probably the most central, change in spermatozoa for fertilization. Starfish spermatozoa undergo the acrosome reaction upon encountering the jelly coat consisting of glycoproteins, steroid saponins, oligopeptides and inorganic components. To induce the acrosome reaction, three egg jelly components act in concert on the spermatozoa: a highly sulfated glycoprotein named acrosome reaction-inducing substance (ARIS), a group of sulfated steroidal saponins named Co-ARIS, and a group of glutamine-rich tetratriacontapeptides named sperm activating peptide (SAP). The action of ARIS is quite species-specific due to the specificity of ARIS-receptors in a restricted domain of the sperm surface and depends very much on sulfated saccharide chains. Co-ARIS is not much species-specific and its action depends on the sulfate group and steroid side chain. SAPs have a ring of 25 residues and increase the intracellular pH of spermatozoa. None of them can induce the acrosome reaction by itself in normal sea water, but ARIS does induce it in high Ca2+ or high pH sea water. Although a combination of ARIS and either Co-ARIS or SAP induces the acrosome reaction in normal sea water, all three are required to mimic the full activity of dissolved jelly coat.