Tryptamine induces phosphoinositide turnover and modulates adrenergic and muscarinic cholinergic receptor function in cultured cerebellar granule cells

Tryptamine dose-dependently increased phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis by approximately fourfold in primary cultures of rat cerebellar granule cells (EC50 = 56 microM). The PI response stimulated by tryptamine was dependent on the presence of extracellular Ca2+ and Na+. Tryptamine-induced PI breakdown could be partially inhibited by pretreatment with 4 beta-phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate but not pertussis toxin. The presence of tryptamine markedly attenuated PI responses induced by norepinephrine (NE) and carbachol, with no apparent effect on the responses to 5-hydroxytryptamine and glutamate. The inhibition of NE- and carbachol-induced PI turnover by tryptamine was dose dependent with IC50 values of approximately 0.4 and approximately 2.5 mM, respectively. Pretreatment of cells with tryptamine (0.5 mM) also attenuated NE- and carbachol-induced PI turnover, but failed to affect 5-hydroxytryptamine- and glutamate-induced responses. Furthermore, ketanserin, atropine, and prazosin did not have any effect on inositol phosphate formation induced by tryptamine. These observations indicate that tryptamine markedly increased Ca(2+)- and Na(+)-dependent PI turnover in cerebellar neurons and selectively inhibited NE- and carbachol-induced PI hydrolysis.

Fine genetic mapping defines the genetic order of Pax9, Tcf3a, and Acrodysplasia (Adp)

We present here the fine genetic mapping of the proximal part of mouse Chromosome (Chr) 12 between D12Mit54 and D12Mit4. This chromosomal region contains three loci, Pax9, Tcf3a, and Acrodysplasia (Adp), which seem to play an important role in pattern formation during mouse embryogenesis. The Adp mutation, which was created by transgene integration, causes skull, paw, and tail deformities. Pax9, which is expressed in the face, paws, and tail, once qualified as a possible candidate for the Adp locus. We analyzed 997 interspecific backcross progeny for recombination between the markers D12Mit54 and D12Mit4; we recovered 117 recombinants, which were further typed for Pax9, Tcf3a, Adp, D12Mit88, D12Nds1, D12Mit36, and D12Mit34. This study represents the first instance in which all the above loci have been included in a single analysis, thereby allowing unambiguous determination of the genetic order and distance between D12Mit54 and D12Mit4. From our results, we conclude that the Adp locus is distinct from either Pax9 or Tcf3a.

Aconitine-induced increase and decrease of acetylcholine release in the mouse phrenic nerve-hemidiaphragm muscle preparation

The effect of aconitine on acetylcholine (ACh) release from motor nerve terminals in the mouse phrenic nerve-diaphragm muscle preparation was studied by a radioisotope method. Both electrical stimulation-evoked release and spontaneous release of 3H-ACh from the preparation preloaded with 3H-choline were measured. The change in the muscle tension was simultaneously recorded in the same preparation. Aconitine (0.1 microM) increased electrically evoked 3H-ACh release, while at higher concentrations (0.3-3 microM) it decreased the evoked release and muscle tension. High concentrations of aconitine (3-30 microM) caused a concentration-dependent increase in spontaneous 3H-ACh release. All these effects were suppressed by tetrodotoxin. The aconitine-induced spontaneous release consisted of two different components: a Ca(2+)-dependent phasic release that was inactivated within a few minutes and a Ca(2+)-independent, long lasting release at a low level. The depression of the Ca(2+)-dependent quantal release seems attributable to the decline of Ca2+ influx into the nerve rather than inactivation of sodium channels. We conclude that aconitine increases and then decreases electrical stimulation-evoked ACh release from the motor nerve through prolonged activation of sodium channels. Further activation of the channels enhances spontaneous release and the subsequent complete inactivation of the quantal release may be due to block of Ca2+ influx.

Surgery for T4 lung cancer: the prognoses of T4 lung cancer

The prognoses of T4 lung cancer patients treated surgically were investigated in 76 patients. Extended resection was performed in 21 patients, palliative resection in 21 and exploratory thoracotomy in 34. Although the five-year survival of the extended resection group did not differ significantly from that obtained in the exploratory thoracotomy group, the mean survival time of the extended resection group was 3.1 months longer than that of the exploratory thoracotomy group. Two patients who had undergone resection for left atrial involvement, survived for two years or more, and a T4N0 patient with squamous cell carcinoma, in whom resection for aortic involvement was carried out, died from an unrelated disease after 15 months. Two patients with pleural dissemination, who underwent panpleuropneumonectomy, survived for two years. Surgical intervention did not improve the prognosis of patients with N2-squamous cell carcinoma, those with malignant effusion or those with multiple organ involvement.

[Successful treatment of a giant bulla by thoracoscopic excision and laser ablation]

A 39-year-old male complaining of shortness of breath on mild exertion. Radiographs revealed that a giant bulla occupied more than half the area of the right lung field. Thoracoscopic excision of the giant bulla was performed using some autosutures. After the emphysematous lesion was consolidated by laser ablation, it was sutured using PDS thread. The bulla in the left lung was similarly excised 3 weeks after the first procedure. The FEV1.0% improved from 72% to 89% after excision and laser ablation of a giant bulla and bullae. Thoracoscopic excision and laser ablation of a giant bulla appears to be an effective alternative to conventional thoracotomy.

Role of external Na+ and cytosolic pH in agonist-evoked cytosolic Ca2+ response in human platelets

The role of external Na+ in agonist-evoked platelet Ca2+ response is poorly understood. This was explored in this study. Removal of external Na+ decreased both cytosolic Ca2+ mobilization and external Ca2+ entry, induced by thrombin but not by ADP or vasopressin. That external Na+ regulates thrombin activities was demonstrated by 1) Na+ dependency of the amidolytic activity of thrombin, 2) inhibition of thrombin binding to the high-affinity binding sites in Na(+)-free medium, and 3) attenuation of thrombin-induced inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate production in Na(+)-free medium. Moreover, Ca2+ response to the thrombin receptor 6-amino acid peptide was independent of external Na+. The role of external Na+ in modifying agonist-evoked Ca2+ response through activation of Na+/H+ antiport and cytosolic alkalinization was then explored. Cytosolic alkalinization by monensin or NH4Cl enhanced thrombin, ADP, and thimerosal-induced external Ca2+ entry. Thimerosal-induced acceleration of external Ca2+ entry was diminished by the inhibition of Na+/H+ antiport. Thus external Na+ enhances thrombin activities, and cytosolic pH mediates store-regulated external Ca2+ entry. However, Na+/H+ antiport activation is not essential for agonist-evoked Ca2+ mobilization and external Ca2+ entry.

The Golgi apparatus and acid phosphatase-negative cisternal portions of the trans-Golgi network: ultrastructural and cytochemical studies of secretory epithelial cells in the rat lateral prostate

Ultrastructural and enzyme-cytochemical studies were performed on the Golgi apparatus in secretory cells of the lateral prostate of normal adult rats using serial ultra-thin sections. In the trans-Golgi area, a unique membrane complex composed of tubular portions and cisternal portions showing a rigid appearance is found. This corresponds to the GERL (Novikoff 1964) or the trans-Golgi network (Griffiths and Simons 1986). From their structural similarities, the cisternal portion found in this study is considered to be the same structure as the plate-like cisterna reported by Inoue and Kurosumi (1989). As we reported previously (Kimura and Ichihara 1985), there are at least two types of acid phosphatase (AcPase) in secretory cells of the rat lateral prostate: one is located only in the structural components involved in their secretory functions and reacts readily with naphthol AS-BI phosphate; the other is a lysosomal type, which reacts well with beta-glycerophosphate. Lysosomal AcPase activity demonstrated by Gomori's method (1952) was found in a few middle- to trans-Golgi cisternae and in lysosomes. The AcPase detectable with Gomori's method and thiamine pyrophosphatase seemed to exist in part in the same cisterna on the trans side. With Robinson and Karnovsky's method (1983) for lysosomal AcPase, however, the reaction products were found only in lysosomes that were occasionally tubular in shape. On the other hand, any activity of AcPases tested could not be detected in the cisternal portion with the rigid appearance. Thus, in secretory cells of the adult rat lateral prostate in normal condition, it is considered that the cisternal portion of GERL, or the trans-Golgi network, has no relation to the processing and/or transport of AcPases.

Blasticidin S deaminase gene from Aspergillus terreus (BSD): a new drug resistance gene for transfection of mammalian cells

Blasticidin S deaminase (BSD) is a drug inactivating enzyme produced by Aspergillus terreus, which convert blasticidin S (BS) to a non-toxic deamino-hydroxy derivative. The BSD gene was fused to SV 40 transcriptional regulatory elements and the resulting vector was used to transfect FM3A cells. Expression of BSD conferred resistance to BS and allowed efficient isolation of integrative transfectants which have stably maintained the BS-resistance phenotype after repeated transfer to fresh selective medium. The frequency of transfection was comparable to that with neo and about 80-times greater than with bsr, a BS-resistance gene of bacterial origin which can be used to isolate efficiently transfectant HeLa cells. Using BSD as a selectable marker, we obtained several stable cell lines expressing the firefly luciferase gene. Four independent transfectants among the randomly selected 5 BS-resistance colonies exhibited detectable luciferase activity under the control of dexamethasone-inducible promoter in the expression vector. The successful application of BSD strongly suggests the usefulness of BS as a versatile selective reagent for introduction of cloned DNA sequences into mammalian cells.

Confirmation that the conotruncal anomaly face syndrome is associated with a deletion within 22q11.2

The so-called "conotruncal anomaly face syndrome" (CTAFS) is characterized by a peculiar facial appearance associated with congenital heart disease (CHD), especially cardiac outflow tract defects such as tetralogy of Fallot (TOF), double outlet right ventricle (DORV), and truncus arteriosus (TAC). CTAFS and the DiGeorge anomaly (DGA) have many similar phenotypic characteristics, suggesting that they share a common cause. In many cases DGA is known to be associated with monosomy for a region of chromosome 22q11.2. Fifty CTAFS patients and 10 DGA patients, 11 parents couples and 10 mothers of CTAFS patients, and 3 parents couples and 2 mothers of DGA patients were examined by fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) using the N25 (D22S75) DGCR probe (Oncor). Monosomy for a region of 22q11.2 was found in 42 CTAFS, 9 DGA, 4 mothers, and 1 father who had CTAF without CHD. The remaining 8 CTAFS patients 1 DGA patient and 1 mother who had questionable CTAF without CHD, showed no such chromosome abnormality. For the control, 60 patients who had CHD without CTAF or other known malformation syndromes were examined and had no deletion of 22q11.2. Therefore, we conclude that CTAFS is a part of the CATCH 22 syndrome; cardiac defects, abnormal faces, thymic hypoplasia, cleft palate, and hypocalcemia (CATCH) resulting from 22q11.2 deletions.

Characterization of cytochrome P450-monooxygenases of Chinese hamsters with respect to aflatoxin B1 activation

Monooxygenases of Chinese hamster livers were characterized with respect to aflatoxin B1 activation and cytochrome P450 isozymes. Polychlorinated biphenyl (PCB)-treatment induced higher activity for aflatoxin B1 activation in Chinese hamsters than in rats and this activity was more elevated by the treatment with phenobarbital than with 3-methylcholanthrene, which is contrary to the observation in Syrian hamsters and rather similar to that in rats. Western blot analysis demonstrated that the treatment of Chinese hamsters with phenobarbital markedly elevated the level of cytochrome P450 isozyme belonging to the CYP2A family and only slightly that immuno-related to CYP2B1. In parallel with this, the activities of testosterone 15 alpha-hydroxylase and 7-ethoxycoumarin O-deethylase were significantly induced by phenobarbital treatment. These suggest that phenobarbital mainly induces an isozyme related to CYP2A2 which is responsible for aflatoxin B1 activation in Chinese hamsters.

Developments in mucosal influenza virus vaccines

Immunogenicity and efficacy of aerosol inactivated split influenza virus vaccines, which are threefold the strength of the vaccines for parenteral use, and cold-adapted reassortant live influenza virus vaccines were evaluated. Mucosal immune responses were evaluated by quantifying specific IgA antibody of the nasal swab solution, and systemic immune responses were evaluated by determining serum haemagglutination inhibition antibody levels. Efficacy of the aerosol inactivated vaccine was evaluated by a challenge test using live vaccine virus. It was concluded that mucosally administered inactivated influenza virus vaccine stimulated systemic and mucosal immune responses more strongly than live influenza virus vaccine and manifested a much stronger booster effect than live vaccine. Mucosal administration of inactivated influenza virus vaccine was effective in preventing infection by live vaccine virus.

Characterization of a Chlamydia pneumoniae strain isolated from a 57-year-old man

The isolation of Chlamydia pneumoniae, especially from elderly persons, is generally not easy. Recently, we succeeded in isolating a chlamydial strain, which was designated KKpn-15, from a 57-year-old man suffering from acute bronchitis. It was compared with well established strains of C. pneumoniae, C. trachomatis and C. psittaci, and its biological properties, such as the morphology of elementary bodies (EBs) and inclusions, and the immunochemistry of EB proteins, were investigated. Based on the results obtained in the present study, it was confirmed that the new chlamydial strain, KKpn-15, is a member of the C. pneumoniae strain and that the organisms of KKpn-15 are useful as an antigen for the serodiagnosis and epidemiology of C. pneumoniae infection.

[A survey on elderly patients' knowledge of management of health care]

We conducted a questionnaire survey on the awareness of elderly patients in our hospital concerning medical management. As to the recognition of their own diseases, patients aged 80 or older, showed a lower degree of understanding than those under age 80. The proportion of patients who wished to known about their diagnosis decreased with age, although no statistical significance was recognized. Those who wished to known about their diagnosis, even if it were malignant, reduced significantly depending on the increase in age. In addition, the proportion of patients who would not like to know their diagnosis, if it were malignant, increased significantly as age increased. Proportions of patients who wanted to know other information, such as prognosis, the aims, methods and results of medical examination, the methods and adverse effects of treatment, and the names, effects and side effects of drugs, also decreased significantly as age increased. However, there were no statistical significant differences in the proportion of answers between cases of malignant and non-malignant disease. These data show that elderly patients had more anxiety or fear about malignancy, and wished to know less about medical management than non-elderly patients.

Nitric oxide regulates cerebral arteriolar tone in rats

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Although cerebral penetrating arterioles are main regulators of the brain microcirculation, little is known about the effect of endothelium-derived relaxation factor on these vessels. This study examined the effects of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors on the spontaneous tone of isolated rat cerebral arterioles.

METHODS

Intraparenchymal penetrating arterioles (53 to 102 microns in passive diameter) isolated from Sprague-Dawley rats were cannulated with glass pipettes and subjected to 60 mm Hg of intraluminal pressure. The diameter response to intraluminal and extraluminal treatments was observed with an inverted microscope.

RESULTS

Extraluminal application of Nw-nitro-L-arginine (10(-5) mol/L) contracted the arterioles to 63.9 +/- 2.8% (P < .05) of the control diameter. This contracting effect was stereospecific and easily reversed by L-arginine dose dependently (10(-3), 10(-2) mol/L) but not by D-arginine. Intraluminally applied Nw-nitro-L-arginine also induced a similar degree of contraction. Another nitric oxide synthase inhibitor, NG-monomethyl L-arginine (10(-5), 10(-4) mol/L), applied extraluminally induced a dose-dependent contraction to 77.5 +/- 6.6% and 68.6 +/- 5.4% of the control (P < .05), which was also reversed by L-arginine. L-Arginine alone did not significantly affect vessel diameter, however. Treatment with indomethacin, a cyclooxygenase inhibitor, dilated the vessel to 115.2 +/- 7% (P < .05) but did not change the constricting effect of Nw-nitro-L-arginine.

CONCLUSIONS

Nw-Nitro-L-arginine and NG-monomethyl L-arginine produce substantial contraction in isolated brain arterioles, suggesting that nitric oxide of brain arterioles is continuously produced within the vessel wall. The dilatory effect of indomethacin appears to be independent of the vasoconstriction induced by nitric oxide synthase inhibitor. In these vessels, the effect of nitric oxide synthase inhibitors is not mediated by an indomethacin-sensitive mechanism. A balance probably exists between factors tending to constrict these arterioles and the elaboration of nitric oxide from endothelial cells, which tends to dilate them. The production of nitric oxide from isolated vessels indicates that parenchymal and vessel wall sources of nitric oxide are probably important in brain microcirculatory regulation.

Light chain nephropathy with remarkable accumulation of multinucleated giant cells in the kidney

A case of light chain deposition disease with multinucleated giant cell accumulation in the kidney is described. A 54-year-old man was admitted to out hospital due to moderate renal failure. Complicated with eosinophilic pneumonia two months after admission, his renal function abruptly deteriorated and hemodialysis was started. Three-day methylprednisolone pulse therapy, however, partially recovered his renal function and hemodialysis was discontinued. His renal biopsy specimen revealed kappa light chain deposition disease with nodular mesangial expansion and subendothelial electron dense deposits. The most characteristic finding in this patient was accumulation of foreign body type multinucleated giant cells around atrophic tubules, small arteries and obsolescent glomeruli, probably associated with light chain deposition. No increase in kappa light chain was detected in his serum or concentrated urine. Such disseminated giant cell reaction, other than intra-luminal infiltration in the tubules, has not been reported in the literature and might be related to the physicochemical or structural properties of the deposited protein.

Monoclonal antibody to beta 2 subunit of neuronal nicotinic receptor depresses the postjunctional non-contractile Ca2+ mobilization in the mouse diaphragm muscle

The involvement of subtypes of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (nAChR) in the postjunctional non-contractile Ca2+ mobilization was investigated in mouse diaphragm muscles treated with an anticholinesterase, using monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) to nAChR subunits. mAb 210 (specific for alpha 1 subunit of muscle nAChR) depressed contractile Ca2+ transients without affecting non-contractile Ca2+ transients. mAb 270 (specific for beta 2 subunit of neuronal nAChR) depressed only non-contractile Ca2+ transients. mAb 210 did not completely block the ACh-activated channel currents in flexor digitorum brevis muscle cells. The present findings indicate that the anti-beta 2 mAb 270-related subtype of nAChR may postsynaptically operate the non-contractile Ca2+ mobilization at the neuromuscular junction, suggesting the involvement of a subtype different from the usual muscle-type nAChR.

Transgenic mouse model of hemifacial microsomia: cloning and characterization of insertional mutation region on chromosome 10

The 643 transgenic mouse line carries an autosomal dominant insertional mutation that results in hemifacial microsomia (HFM), including microtia and/or abnormal biting. In this paper, we characterize the transgene integration site in transgenic mice and preintegration site of wildtype mice. The locus, designated Hfm (hemifacial microsomia-associated locus), was mapped to chromosome 10, B1-3, by chromosome in situ hybridization. We cloned the transgene insertion site from the transgenic DNA library. By using the 5' and 3' flanking sequences, the preintegration region was isolated. The analysis of these regions showed that a deletion of at least 23 kb DNA occurred in association with the transgene integration. Evolutionarily conserved regions were detected within and beside the deleted region. The result of mating between hemizygotes suggests that the phenotype of the homozygote is lethality in the prenatal period. These results suggest that the Hfm locus is necessary for prenatal development and that this strain is a useful animal model for investigating the genetic predisposition to HFM in humans.

Effect of rhg-csf (filgrastim) on leukocyte kinetics and immune function in cytotoxic chemotherapy for gynecologic malignancies

The effects of human recombinant granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (rhG-CSF) on leukocyte kinetics and immune function were assessed in patients with gynecologic malignancies receiving cytotoxic chemotherapy. Five day-rhG-CSF administration (50 mu g/m(2)/day) increased leukocyte counts in most of the chemotherapy courses. There was a significant difference in the leukocyte increase between the previously irradiated group and the nonirradiated group. An appreciable increase in LAK activity owing to an increased IL-2 production was noted after rhG-CSF administration. Despite a remarkable increase in the neutrophils observed, the CD57(+) cell count and NK activity in peripheral blood mononuclear cells were unexpectedly reduced.

[Two cases of advanced breast cancer effectively treated with chemoendocrine therapy and radiotherapy]

We reported 2 cases of breast cancer with lymph node metastasis treated with CAF (cyclophosphamide, adriamycin, 5-fluorouracil) and medroxyprogesterone acetate (MPA). Case 1 was stage IV [T4b, N3 M1 (lung)] and case 2 was stage IIIa (T1, N2, M0). The two cases responded well to CAF and MPA therapy in local and systemic lesions, and then underwent radiotherapy and lymph node resection without mastectomy. After these treatments, both cases were thought to be disease-free. Major side effects were allopecia, obesity, and leukopenia. These results suggest that combination chemoendotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery can be utilized for most patients with moderately advanced breast cancer.

[A case of malignant lymphoma, highly suspected to be of pancreatic origin, with multiple nodular hepatic invasions]

We reported a rare case of malignant lymphoma, highly suspected to be of pancreas origin with multiple nodular hepatic invasions. A 63-year-old man visited our hospital on May 24 1990, complaining of anorexia. In spite of high serum levels of LDH and amylase, abdominal ultrasonography (US) showed no significant lesions. Forty days later, he was admitted because of the loss of weight and the appearance of abdominal pain with marked hepatomegaly, exhibiting cachexia. Abdominal US and computed tomography visualized a tumor of pancreas with multiple nodular space-occupying lesions in the liver. In several days, jaundice and ascites appeared with progressive deterioration. Angiography showed no tumor vascularity nor vascular stain in pancreas and liver, suggesting a non-epithelial malignancy. Mitomycin C and Epi-adriamycin, given to the patient via the celiac artery, brought about a remarkable shrinkage of the abdominal tumor. Subsequent systemic chemotherapies and occasional intra-arterial chemotherapies resulted in the disappearance of abdominal tumor clinically. However, at the end of April 1991, signs of CNS involvement were observed, and he died on June 7, 1991. Autopsy revealed that malignant lymphoma, of diffuse large cell type, had invaded the subarachnoidal cavity without any evidence of invasion of the abdomen or other sites except regional necrotic lesion in the pancreas. These findings strongly suggested that the patient suffered from malignant lymphoma of pancreas origin with multiple nodular hepatic invasions.

[Comparison of the prevalence of symptoms, elevated serum antibody, antibody types and complications between two outbreaks of influenza in a ward]

We experienced two outbreaks of influenza in the respiratory ward of our hospital in Feb. 1990 and Feb. 1993. Influenza-like symptoms were recognized in 42 of 67 cases (63%) in 1990, and in 22 of 56 cases (39%) in 1993. In the former outbreak, the prevalence of the serum CF titer for anti-influenza antibody was elevated in 25 of 42 cases (60%) (only the A2 antibody titer in 2 cases, B antibody titer in 4 cases in the latter one). Among asymptomatic inpatients, the serum titer was elevated in 3 of 25 cases (12%) in the former outbreak, but in 1 of 8 cases which the serum CF titer for anti-influenza antibody was measured in the latter one. A respiratory complications secondary to influenza were observed in 6 (2 cases pneumonia, 3 cases lower respiratory tract infection, 1 case asthma attack) of 67 cases during the former period, but only 1 of 56 cases during the latter period. In the two outbreaks of influenza in the respiratory ward we found the same results concerning the occurrence of influenza-like symptoms, an elevation of the serum antibody titer, but a significant difference was noted with regard to the phenotype of the prevalent influenza and the occurrence of complications.