The nuclear response to cAMP: role of transcription factor CREM

In eukaryotes, transcriptional regulation upon stimulation of the adenylate cyclase signalling pathway is mediated by a family of cAMP-responsive nuclear factors. This family consists of a large number of members which may act as activators or repressors. These factors contain the basic domain/leucine zipper motifs and bind as dimers to cAMP-response elements (CRE). The function of CRE-binding proteins is modulated by phosphorylation by several kinases. The ICER (inducible cAMP early repressor) protein is the only inducible member of this family. The induction of this powerful repressor is likely to be important for the transient nature of cAMP-induced gene expression. CRE-binding proteins have been found to play an important role in the physiology of the pituitary gland, in regulating spermatogenesis, in the response to circadian rhythms and in the molecular basis of memory.

Cloning of the mouse desmoglein 3 gene (Dsg3): interspecies conservation within the cadherin superfamily

Desmoglein 3 is a cadherin-like calcium-dependent cell adhesion molecule expressed primarily in suprabasal keratinocytes of the epidermis. In this study, we have cloned the full-length cDNA and characterized the entire gene structure for the mouse desmoglein 3 gene (Dsg3). Isolation of overlapping cDNA clones, together with 5' and 3' rapid amplification of cDNA ends (RACE), allowed delineation of the entire coding sequence. The transcriptional initiation site was confirmed by primer extension and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction analysis. The entire cDNA consisted of 6407 bp with an open reading frame of 2979 bp, and the deduced polypeptide contained 993 amino acids. Comparison of mouse and human desmoglein 3 amino acid sequences demonstrated 85.6% homology. Computer analysis suggested the presence of a transmembrane segment, 5 potential calcium binding sites, and a RAL motif which corresponds to the HAV motif, the potential site for homophilic interaction of typical cadherins. The mouse desmoglein 3 gene consisted of 15 exons in chromosome 18. Comparison of the intron-exon organization of Dsg3 with various cadherins from different species revealed remarkable conservation. This relatively high level of conservation both at the protein and genomic level suggests that desmoglein 3 plays an important role in keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion.

Isolation of Clostridium absonum and its cultural and biochemical properties

A new procedure for isolation of Clostridium absonum was devised. Sixtyseven strains of C. absonum were isolated from 135 soil samples, but no strain of C. absonum could be found from human fecal samples. The lecithinase, hemolysin, and lethal toxin in the culture filtrates of this species exhibited low avidity for C. perfringens type A antitoxin. The three activities were inseparable by the present method of purification. A reinvestigation of biochemical properties revealed that incomplete suppression of lecithinase reaction by C. perfringens type A antitoxin and no fermentation of raffinose, melibiose, and starch are useful criteria to differentiate C. absonum from C. perfringens, and that positive, although weak, gelatin liquefaction and fermentation of trehalose are useful to differentiate it from C. paraperfringens.

New enzymatic determination of sialic acid in serum

This enzymatic method for determination of sialic acid involves use of neuraminidase (EC 3.2.1.18), N-acetylneuraminate lyase (EC 4.1.3.3), acylglucosamine 2-epimerase (EC 5.1.3.8), N-acetylhexosamine oxidase (from Pseudomonas sp.), and peroxidase (EC 1.11.1.7). Because the method does not require pyruvic acid in the assay medium, interference by pyruvic acid in serum can be avoided. This simple, accurate assay is little affected by other substances in serum.

Tissue-specific expression of the 230-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen gene (BPAG1). Identification of a novel keratinocyte regulatory cis-element KRE3

The 230-kDa bullous pemphigoid antigen gene (BPAG1) is expressed exclusively in basal keratinocytes of epidermis. In this study, we have identified a novel cis-element, keratinocyte responsive element 3 (KRE3), at position -216 to -197 of the human BPAG1 gene. A promoter-CAT construct containing this element had approximately 50-fold higher expression than a similar construct devoid of this sequence when tested in transient transfections of cultured human keratinocytes. However, there was no effect on the low base-line level of expression in cultured skin fibroblasts. KRE3 contains a palindromic sequence 5'-CAAATATTTG-3', and mutations in this sequence significantly reduced the promoter activity. Gel mobility shift assays with an oligomer containing KRE3 sequence demonstrated binding activity with nuclear proteins isolated from keratinocytes. One of the DNA/protein complexes was clearly specific, since competition with > 12.5-fold excess of the unlabeled oligomer resulted in disappearance of this band. No specific binding activity was noted with nuclear proteins extracted from fibroblasts. Thus, KRE3 appears to serve as the binding site for keratinocyte-specific trans-activating factor(s), and KRE3 may thus confer the tissue-specific expression to the BPAG1 gene.

Evidence for D0-D0 mixing

We observe evidence for D(0)-D(0) mixing by measuring the difference in the apparent lifetime when a D(0) meson decays to the CP eigenstates K(+)K(-) and pi(+)pi(-) and when it decays to the final state K(-)pi(+). We find the relative difference of the lifetimes y(CP) to be [1.31+/-0.32(stat)+/-0.25(syst)]%, 3.2 standard deviations from zero. We also search for a CP asymmetry between D(0) and D(0) decays; no evidence for CP violation is found. These results are based on 540 fb(-1) of data recorded by the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) collider.

Protective effects of local hypothermia in vitrectomy under fluctuating intraocular pressure

The effects of local hypothermia on the blood-aqueous barrier and retina were investigated in experimental vitrectomy under wide-ranging fluctuations of intraocular pressure. After anesthetized albino rabbits had undergone closed vitrectomy, their vitreous cavities were continuously irrigated for 60 minutes. Perfusion pressures were fluctuated alternately between 10 and 80 mmHg. The rabbits were divided into two groups in accordance with their intraocular perfusion temperatures: 8 degrees C and 22 degrees C. Electroretinograms were taken both before and after the irrigation. Protein and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) concentrations in the aqueous humor were measured on the 1st and 7th postoperative days. Histologic examination was performed on the eyes enucleated on the same days. There were no significant differences in either a- or b-wave amplitudes between the 8 degrees C and 22 degrees C groups. Both aqueous protein and PGE2 concentrations were significantly higher in the 22 degrees C group than in the 8 degrees C group on the 1st postoperative day. Histologically, the ciliary body showed remarkably more stromal edema in the 22 degrees C group than in the 8 degrees C group. The severity of the retinal damage did not seem to differ between the two groups. Local hypothermia during vitrectomy under fluctuating intraocular pressure inhibits the breakdown of the blood-aqueous barrier in the early postoperative stages.

Observation of a near-threshold omegaJ/psi mass enhancement in exclusive B-->KomegaJ/psi decays

We report the observation of a near-threshold enhancement in the omegaJ/psi invariant mass distribution for exclusive B-->KomegaJ/psi decays. The results are obtained from a 253 fb(-1) data sample that contains 275 x 10(6) BB pairs that were collected near the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB asymmetric energy e(+)e(-) collider. The statistical significance of the omegaJ/psi mass enhancement is estimated to be greater than 8sigma.

Evidence for B0-->pi0pi0

We report evidence for the decay B0-->pi(0)pi(0). The analysis is based on a data sample of 152x10(6) BBmacr; pairs collected at the Upsilon(4S) resonance with the Belle detector at the KEKB e(+)e(-) storage ring. We detect a signal for B0-->pi(0)pi(0) with a significance of 3.4 standard deviations, and measure the branching fraction to be [1.7+/-0.6(stat)+/-0.2(syst)]x10(-6).

Isolation of Mycoplasma pneumoniae from pleural fluid and/or cerebrospinal fluid: report of four cases

Mycoplasma pneumoniae was isolated from pleural exudates of 2 children with pleuropneumonia. The organism was also isolated from cerebrospinal fluid of a child with meningeal manifestations and from the cerebrospinal fluid as well as pleural exudate of another child who died 21 days after onset of disease. More extensive attempts to cultivate M. pneumoniae from nonpulmonary sites are recommended.

Measurement of azimuthal asymmetries in inclusive production of hadron pairs in e(+)e(-) annihilation at Belle

The Collins effect connects transverse quark spin with a measurable azimuthal dependence in the yield of hadronic fragments around the quark's momentum vector. Using two different reconstruction methods, we find evidence of statistically significant azimuthal asymmetries for charged pion pairs in e(+)e(-) annihilation at a center-of-mass energy of 10.52 GeV, which can be attributed to a transverse polarization of the primordial quarks. The measurement was performed using a sample of 79 x 10(6) hadronic events collected with the Belle detector.

Immunocytochemical distribution of Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase C subtypes (delta, epsilon, and zeta) in regenerating axonal growth cones of rat peripheral nerve

In the peripheral nerve, regenerating axonal sprouts usually emanate at nodes of Ranvier, and extend as growth cones along the inner surface of Schwann cells and/or through Schwann cell columns in the distal nerve segment. In order to elucidate the significance of Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase C in nerve regeneration, localizations of delta, epsilon and zeta subtypes were examined immunocytochemically in sprouts and growth cones of regenerating axons, as well as in normal intact nerves in the rat sciatic nerve. In normal nerves, intense immunoreactivities of delta, epsilon and zeta subtypes were present in axons of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres. Subcellularly, the distribution of these subtypes in the axoplasm was patchy, and discontinuous in the axolemma and subaxolemmal peripheral zones of myelinated nerves. Some thin myelinated axons showed no immunoreactivity for epsilon subtype. Schwann cells of both myelinated and unmyelinated fibres had moderate immunoreactivities for each subtype. In areas of nerve regeneration, axonal sprouts at nodes of Ranvier, and growth cones extending along Schwann cell basal laminae, had intense immunoreactivities for delta, epsilon and zeta subtypes which are distributed diffusely throughout the axoplasm, and on the entire axolemma. In the sprouts, immunoreactivity for epsilon subtype was strong on the axolemma, but weak or almost absent in the axoplasm. These data, together with those of our previous study, indicate that Ca(2+)-independent protein kinase C subtypes (delta, epsilon and zeta) have basically the same distribution patterns as those of Ca(2+)-dependent subtypes in sprouts and growth cones of regenerating axons, as well as in normal intact axons; albeit epsilon subtype is somewhat different in distribution and intensity from delta and zeta subtypes. It is suggested that Ca(2+)-independent subtypes are involved in maintaining growth cone activities along with the Ca(2+)-dependent subtypes.

ELF3 is an antagonist of oncogenic-signalling-induced expression of EMT-TF ZEB1

Background: Epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is a key step in the transformation of epithelial cells into migratory and invasive tumour cells. Intricate positive and negative regulatory processes regulate EMT. Many oncogenic signalling pathways can induce EMT, but the specific mechanisms of how this occurs, and how this process is controlled are not fully understood. Methods: RNA-Seq analysis, computational analysis of protein networks and large-scale cancer genomics datasets were used to identify ELF3 as a negative regulator of the expression of EMT markers. Western blotting coupled to siRNA as well as analysis of tumour/normal colorectal cancer panels was used to investigate the expression and function of ELF3. Results: RNA-Seq analysis of colorectal cancer cells expressing mutant and wild-type β-catenin and analysis of colorectal cancer cells expressing inducible mutant RAS showed that ELF3 expression is reduced in response to oncogenic signalling and antagonizes Wnt and RAS oncogenic signalling pathways. Analysis of gene-expression patterns across The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and protein localization in colorectal cancer tumour panels showed that ELF3 expression is anti-correlated with β-catenin and markers of EMT and correlates with better clinical prognosis. Conclusions: ELF3 is a negative regulator of the EMT transcription factor (EMT-TF) ZEB1 through its function as an antagonist of oncogenic signalling.

Transient osteoporosis of the hip during pregnancy

We report the clinical features of and MRI findings in transient osteoporosis of the hip during pregnancy. The study population consisted of 4 patients with a mean age of 33 years. The mean gestational age at onset was 31 weeks (range: 27 to 35 weeks). The main symptoms consisted of a weight-bearing pain in the hip and gait disturbance. The pain occurred suddenly and was of unknown cause and became severe within 2 to 3 weeks. X-ray examinations showed diffuse osteoporosis in the femoral head and neck. Moreover in 3 patients, similar lesions were also found in the lumbar spine or the knee. MRI obtained from 3 patients revealed a mottled low-signal lesion extending from the femoral head and neck on T1-weighted images and a high-signal lesion in the bone marrow suggesting edema on T2-weighted images. Mild elevation of C- reactive protein was shown in 2 patients. Conservative treatments with the limitation of weight bearing and bed rest were performed for all patients, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs were given to 3 patients. The hip pain began to decline from 8 to 14 weeks after the onset, and completely disappeared from 14 to 24 weeks. X-ray examinations showed that osteoporotic lesions tended to improve at 10 to 14 weeks, on MRI, a high-signal lesion suggesting bone marrow edema resolved together with relief of the pain. No recurrence was found in any patients at mean follow-up of 70.8 months.

Genetic recombination at different points in the Npro-coding region of bovine viral diarrhea viruses and the potentials to change their antigenicities and pathogenicities

Cytopathogenic (cp) bovine viral diarrhea virus (BVDV) strain KS86-1 cp was isolated from a cow persistently infected with non-cytopathogenic (ncp) BVDV strain KS86-ncp after development of mucosal disease by superinfection with cp BVDV strain Nose. cp BVDV strains 799cp and 839cp were also isolated from independent cattle that developed mucosal disease by superinfection with cp BVDV KS86-1cp. In the present study, genetic analysis revealed that the genes of cp BVDV strains 799cp and 839cp were chimeras between the genes of the persisting ncp BVDVs and that of superinfecting KS86-1cp. The genetic recombination that generates 799cp occurred between the identical points in the N(pro) gene region, whereas genetic recombination that generates 839cp occurred between different points in the N(pro) gene region. Both 799cp and 839cp were inherited Jiv gene of KS86-1cp strain and envelope protein genes of the persisting viruses. In addition, neutralization test disclosed that antigenicities of 799cp, 839cp, and KS86-1cp were also similar to each persisting virus. These findings indicate that exogenous cp BVDV containing insertion of Jiv gene in the 5 terminal region can induce genetic recombination with the original ncp BVDV at different points in the N(pro) gene region, and those viruses have high potential to change those antigenicities and pathogenicities by RNA recombination.

A novel keratin K5 gene mutation in Dowling-Meara epidermolysis bullosa simplex

We examined keratin K14 and K5 genes mutation in a Japanese Dowling-Meara epidermolysis bullosa simplex patient with severe generalized blistering and erosions at birth. The patient had a C to T transition at the first position of codon 174 in the keratin K5 gene, which resulted in a Leu->Phe substitution at the highly conserved 1A domain in keratin K5. Thus, our results revealed a novel mutation in the helix initiation peptide of keratin K5.

Oral steroid improves bullous pemphigoid-like clinical manifestations in non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa with COL17A1 mutation

Non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB-nH), a nonlethal variant of junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB), is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by separation of the dermal-epidermal junction. JEB-nH is caused by mutations in several genes and lack of the COL17A1 gene product may lead to skin fragility. A 41-year-old Japanese man with JEB-nH, featuring mutations in the gene encoding type XVII collagen, presented with great blisters over his entire body accompanied by severe itching and eosinophilia usually observed in bullous pemphigoid (BP). To our knowledge, our patient is the first with JEB-nH to be treated successfully with an oral steroid to control his skin affliction, symptoms and eosinophilia. This suggests that in the case of JEB-nH with eosinophilia caused by some secondary immune activation, oral steroids may constitute an alternate therapy to improve aggravated skin conditions and severe itching, both of which tend to show resistance to usual dermatological treatments.

Synaptophysin immunocytochemistry in the regenerating sprouts from the nodes of Ranvier in injured rat sciatic nerve

Following crush injury of rat sciatic nerve, strong synaptophysin immunoreactivity was demonstrated in the regenerating sprouts that emerged from the proximal nodes of Ranvier and in their growth cones that extended through the space between Schwann cell basal lamina and myelin sheath of the parent axon. These findings suggest that synaptophysin is involved in the growth regulation of regenerating sprouts.

Cytochalasin B inhibits morphogenetic movement and muscle differentiation of activin-treated ectoderm in Xenopus

Xenopus ectodermal explants (animal caps) begin to elongate after treatment with the mesoderm inducing factor activin A. This phenomenon mimics the convergent extension of dorsal mesoderm during gastrulation. To analyze the relationship between elongation movement and muscle differentiation, animal caps were treated with colchicine, taxol, cytochalasin B and hydroxyurea (HUA)/aphidicolin following activin treatment. Cytochalasin B disrupted the organization of actin filaments and inhibited the elongation of the activin-treated explants. Muscle differentiation was also inhibited in these explants at the histologic and molecular levels. Colchicine and taxol, which are known to affect microtubule organization, had little effect on elongation of the activin-treated exp ants. Co-treatment with HUA and aphidicolin caused serious damage on the explants and they did not undergo elongation. These results suggest that actin filaments play an important role in the elongation movement that leads to muscle differentiation of activin-treated explants.

DORSAL PLATING FOR COMMINUTED INTRA-ARTICULAR FRACTURES OF THE DISTAL END OF THE RADIUS

Forty-one dorsally displaced intra-articular fractures of the distal radius were treated by open reduction and internal fixation with the dorsal Symmetry® plates. The average age at the time of the injury was 49 years. An average follow-up period was 15 months. The final radial length averaged 11 mm, radial inclination 23°, volar tilt 7°, ulnar variance 1.5 mm, and articular incongruity 0.3 mm. According to the Gartland and Werly scales, 36 fractures were excellent and five were good. However, ulnar variance increased more than 3 mm during follow-up in eight patients, and volar tilt increased more than 5° during follow-up in ten patients. Use of dorsal Symmetry® plate is effective for unstable comminuted intra-articular distal radius fractures, but severely comminuted fractures may possibly undergo re-displacement post-operatively.