A selective and extremely potent antagonist of the neurokinin-1 receptor

Sendide [Tyr6,D-Phe7,D-His9]-substance P(6-11) has been examined by measurements of ligand binding to crude membrane fractions and by functional tests on the spinally mediated behavioral response. Sendide potently displaced [3H]-labeled substance P (SP) binding to mouse spinal cord membranes in a competitive manner. In vivo, sendide, intrathecally co-injected with SP, competitively antagonized SP-induced scratching, biting and licking. The behaviors elicited by physalaemin, septide and [Sar9, Met(O2)11]-SP were also reduced by co-administration of sendide. Large doses of sendide were needed to reduce the action of neurokinin A, D-septide, neurokinin B and eledoisin. The in vitro and in vivo pharmacological profile of sendide demonstrated that it is a selective and extremely potent antagonist of the neurokinin-1 receptor.

Spinal arachnoid cyst in a newborn infant

A male infant was born with asphyxia following a prolonged breech delivery at 39 weeks of gestation. He had a chylohemothorax from birth. Soon after birth he exhibited flaccid paraplegia with an absence of deep tendon reflexes in the lower extremities. At 17 days of age, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) disclosed a hypodense area in the thoracic cord between C7 and Th4 in T1-weighted images, and spinal sonography revealed an echo-free space compressing the spinal cord in the same region observed with MRI. A spinal cyst was removed surgically at 24 days of age. The cyst was confirmed by pathology to be a true arachnoid cyst between C7 and Th4. The cause of this cyst may have been a spinal cord injury during the perinatal period.

Serotyping of Bacillus thuringiensis environmental isolates by extracellular heat-stable somatic antigens

A total of 525 Bacillus thuringiensis environmental isolates, belonging to the five flagellar (H) serovars (alesti, sotto, kenyae, aizawai, and morrisoni), were serotyped by extracellular heat-stable somatic antigens (HSSAs). The isolates belonging to a given H serovar were assigned to a single HSSA serogroup at a high frequency, 87-100%. This indicates that the extent of HSSA variation within a single H serovar is small in the field populations of these B. thuringiensis serovars.

Klinefelter's syndrome accompanied by diabetes mellitus and diabetes insipidus

The first case of Klinefelter's syndrome accompanied by diabetes insipidus and diabetes mellitus is reported. A 41-year-old man admitted for hyperosmolar diabetic coma with a past history of diabetes insipidus was diagnosed as having Klinefelter's syndrome by endocrinological examination and sex chromosome analysis. In this case, glucose tolerance test was normalized half a year later and blood glucose was well controlled with diet therapy alone.

Intracerebral leukemic mass in acute myelogenous leukemia

Leukemic intracranial space occupying lesions are rare. A 69 year old man with acute myelogenous leukemia was found to have an intracranial leukemic mass at the time of his remission period. Computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging study demonstrated a large irregular mass in the right temporal lobe. After total removal of the tumor, the patient was treated with whole brain irradiation and intrathecal chemotherapy. After surviving for 7 months, the patient expired of hematologic relapse.

Differential effects of substance P analogs on neurokinin 1 receptor agonists in the mouse spinal cord

Effects of five substance P (SP) analogs on the licking, biting and scratching response induced by neurokinin (NK) 1 receptor agonists such as SP, physalaemin and (p-Glu6,Pro9)-SP (6-11) (septide) were studied after intrathecal injections in mice. Septide brought about a SP-like behavioral response, and was approximately 25 times more potent than the D-Pro9 analog, D-septide. When administered simultaneously with NK-1 receptor agonists, a putative SP antagonist, spantide inhibited SP-, physalaemin- and septide-induced behavioral response in a dose-dependent manner with ED50 values of 1.0, 0.65 and 1.3 nmol/mouse, respectively. Septide-induced response was significantly reduced by lower doses of (D-Arg1, D-Pro2,4, D-Phe7, D-His9, Leu11)-SP than (D-Phe7, D-His9, Leu11)-SP (6-11). In contrast, (D-Arg1, D-Pro2,4, D-Phe7, D-His9)-SP (0.5-1.0 nmol) and (D-Phe7, D-His9)-SP (6-11) (0.5-2.0 nmol) inhibited only SP-induced behavioral response, but not physalaemin- or septide-induced response. The results of this study indicate that NK-1 receptor agonists are not necessarily affected to a same degree by SP analogs containing D-His. These findings may be interpreted as indicative of the existence of different NK-1 receptor subtypes.

[High performance liquid chromatographic analysis of typical ultraviolet absorbers in cosmetic products]

Typical 11 ultraviolet (UV) absorbers in cosmetic products were separated and determined by high performance liquid chromatography. The recommended conditions for the analysis were as follows: column, 4.6 mm i.d. x 250 mm, Capcell Pak C18 SG (5 microns); detector, UV spectrophotometer (280 nm); column temperature, 40 degrees C; mobile phase, H2O-CH3OH (15:85 v/v) containing 3 mM stearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride; flow rate, 1.0 ml/min. In the case of the products containing 2-ethylhexyl p-methoxycinnamate (OMC) and/or 4-tert-butyl-4'-methoxydibenzoylmethane (BMD), it was necessary to use H2O-1,4-dioxane (34:66 v/v) containing 6 mM stearyltrimethyl ammonium chloride as the mobile phase in order to separate OMC and BMD. Anthracene and 9,10-dimethylanthracene were used as an internal standard for the H2O-CH3OH mobile phase and the H2O-1,4-dioxane mobile phase, respectively. Calibration curves were linear within a range of 50-150 micrograms/ml for the 11 UV absorbers. Recoveries and reproducibilities of the method were satisfactory. By using this method, typical UV absorbers in several commercial cosmetic products such as lip creams, sun oils, lotions and emulsions were able to be rapidly determined without any interference.

[A case of acute cerebellar encephalitis due to Cryptococcus neoformans]

A case of acute cryptococcal cerebellar encephalitis with CT enhancement confined to the cerebellum is reported. A 46-year-old man with hepatoma was admitted with chief complaints of headache, fever and dizziness. On admission, cerebellar signs (disturbance of finger-to-nose test and of heel-to-knee test, intention tremor, and truncal ataxia) were neurologically noted. However, there were no brainstem signs. Head CT showed swelling and enhancement of the cerebellar cortex and dilatation of the cerebral ventriculi. Cryptococcus neoformans was detected in a culture of the patient's CSF. Clinical symptoms and signs, and enhancement of the cerebellum on CT gradually diminished after administration of anti-fungal drugs, and CSF became negative for cryptococcal antigen 6 months after admission.

Effect of cyclic RGD peptide on cell adhesion and tumor metastasis

Several kinds of cyclic peptides containing an L-arginine-glycine-L-aspartic acid RGD sequence were synthesized by the liquid phase method, and we investigated their effects on the attachment of mouse B16 melanoma cells onto fibronectin-coated well. Cyclo (GRGDSPA) inhibited the cell attachment at a 20-fold lower concentration than the linear form. The cell adhesion was inhibited by the synthetic peptides with the following relative order of activity: cyclo (GRGDSPA) much greater than cyclo (GRGD) greater than cyclo (RGDS), cyclo (GRGDSP) greater than cyclo (GRGDS) greater than cyclo (RGDSP), cyclo (RGDSPA). Cyclo (GRGDSPA) was more effective at inhibiting cell attachment to vitronectin than it was at competing with fibronectin attachment, as reported in the case of GRGDSP. Moreover, cyclo (GRGDSPA) significantly reduced the formation of colonies in mice injected with B16-FE7 melanoma cells.

Novel effect of cyclicization of the Arg-Gly-Asp-containing peptide on vitronectin binding to platelets

Vitronectin is one of the glycoproteins that mediate cell adhesion and spreading of a variety of cells through the RGD(S) sequence. Vitronectin is demonstrated to bind to glycoprotein IIb-IIIa and play a role in platelet aggregation. Synthetic peptides containing the RGD(S) sequence can inhibit vitronectin binding to platelets, but the affinity of these peptides is less than 1/100th that of native vitronectin. The present study thus examined the ability of modified RGD(S)-containing peptide to inhibit vitronectin binding to thrombin-stimulated platelets. The cyclicization of GRGDSPA peptide was done by the linkage of NH2-terminal glycin and the COOH-terminal alanin. The circular dichroism spectrum of cyclic GRGDSPA peptide only showed negative minimum at approximately 220 nm, but those of other linear peptides such as GRGDSPA and GRGESPA had no effect. This result indicated that only the cyclic GRGDSPA peptide retained some conformational structure to restrict its flexibility. Inhibition experiments revealed that the affinities of the ligands for the receptor decreased in the order of vitronectin = fibronectin = fibrinogen = von Willebrand factor (vWF) greater than cyclic GRGDSPA peptide greater than GRGDSPA peptide. GRGESPA peptide had no effect. These results demonstrate that the conformational structure of the RGD(S) sequence plays the important role for the affinity of vitronectin binding to activated platelets and the increased affinity of the modified peptide is a prerequisite for the potential antithrombotic use.

Characterization of mosquitocidal activity of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. fukuokaensis crystal proteins

The mosquitocidal crystals of Bacillus thuringiensis subsp. fukuokaensis were isolated and bioassayed against fourth-instar larvae of two mosquito species. The 50% lethal concentration values of the crystals to Aedes aegypti and Culex quinquefasciatus were 4.1 and 2.9 micrograms/ml, respectively. In addition, the solubilized crystals had hemolytic activity; 50 micrograms/ml was the lowest detectable level. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis analysis revealed that the crystals consisted of polypeptides of 90, 86, 82, 72, 50, 48, 37, and 27 kDa. When the solubilized inclusion was treated with C. quinquefasciatus midgut brush border membrane vesicles or Manduca sexta gut juice, only one major protein was detected. This protein retained mosquitocidal activity but had no detectable hemolytic activity. Immunological analysis of this subspecies and the subspecies israelensis, kyushuensis and darmstadiensis by using polyclonal antisera raised against the whole-crystal protein of B. thuringiensis subsp. fukuokaensis revealed that the proteins in subsp. fukuokaensis are distinct from proteins in the other subspecies because little cross-reaction was observed. Analysis of the plasmid pattern showed that the crystal protein genes are located on a plasmid of 130 MDa. Analysis of plasmid and chromosomal DNA from subsp. fukuokaensis showed little homology to the 72-kDa toxin gene (PG-14) of B. thuringiensis subsp. morrisoni. However, some of the proteins of B. thuringiensis subsp. fukuokaensis are homologous to other B. thuringiensis toxins because N-terminal amino acid analysis revealed that the 90-kDa protein is encoded by a cryIV gene type.

Nuclear localization of antigens detected by a monoclonal antibody against a synthetic peptide of rfp finger protein

A monoclonal antibody (MAb) was generated against a synthetic peptide corresponding to amino acids 148 to 163 of the rfp protein with zinc finger domains. The MAb, designated RFP-1 (IgM), which was positive with the immunizing peptide in enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, was reactive in immunoblotting with an in vitro translated rfp product as well as with native proteins in cell extracts made from mouse testis and HL-60 human leukemia cell line, both of which were previously shown to express high levels of rfp mRNA. When HL-60 cells were fractionated into nuclear and cytoplasmic components, the protein reactive with RFP-1 MAb was detectable only in the nuclear fraction. By the avidin-biotin complex immunoperoxidase method, this MAb strongly stained over 90% of the nuclei of human and mouse spermatogenic cells, except mature spermatozoon, and of human testicular tumor cells. In other human adult tissues, up to 60% of positive cells were observed. These antibody activities were clearly absorbed by pre-incubation of RFP-1 MAb with the immunizing peptide. These results thus indicated that RFP-1 MAb recognizes a nuclear protein which is expressed at high levels in male germ cells.

N-terminal substance P fragments inhibit the spinally induced, NK 1 receptor mediated behavioural responses in mice

N-terminal fragments of substance P (SP) were tested for antagonism against the aversive responses induced in mice by various tachykinin receptor agonists, somatostatin and bombesin. When co-administered with SP intrathecally, low doses (1.0-4.0 pmol) of SP (1-7) or SP (1-8) reduced the SP-induced behavioural responses of scratching, biting and licking. Aversive responses induced by two other neurokinin (NK) 1 receptor agonists, Septide and physalaemin, were also dose-dependently decreased by the simultaneous injection of small doses of SP (1-7) or SP (1-8). Aversive responses induced by 400 pmol of NK A were also significantly reduced by co-administration of SP (1-7) or SP (1-8). No significant effects of the N-terminal fragments were observed against the aversive responses elicited by NK A (300 pmol), eledoisin, NK B, somatostatin or bombesin. These results suggest that the behavioural antagonism produced by SP (1-7) and SP (1-8) may be limited to the NK 1 receptor at the spinal level in mice.

Substance P analogues containing D-histidine antagonize the behavioural effects of intrathecally co-administered substance P in mice

The antagonistic effect of newly synthesized substance P (SP) analogues containing D-histidine was examined on behavioural responses induced in mice by SP, neurokinin (NK) A, physalaemin, eledoisin, somatostatin and bombesin. [D-Pro2,D-Trp7,9]SP (DPDT-SP) and [D-Arg1,D-Trp7,9,Leu11]SP (spantide) were used as references for comparison. When co-administered with SP intrathecally, all the SP analogues used decreased the SP-induced response which consists of scratching, biting and licking. DPDT-SP and spantide attenuated non-specifically the SP-like behavioural responses induced by physalaemin, eledoisin, NK A and somatostatin. In general, the introduction of D-histidine in position 9 of the SP molecule resulted in potent antagonistic activity of the SP derivative on the behavioural responses to SP. Of these SP analogues, [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,4,D-Phe7,D-His9]SP attenuated selectively the behavioural responses produced by NK-1 receptor agonists such as SP and physalaemin. Simultaneous injection of [D-Phe7,D-His9]SP-(6-11) selectively inhibited the SP-induced behavioural response without affecting the other peptide-induced behavioral response. The results suggest that the behavioural antagonism induced by [D-Arg1,D-Pro2,4,D-Phe7,D-His9]SP and [D-Phe7,D-His9]SP-(6-11) is probably due to the specific blockade of spinal NK-1 receptors.

Micronucleus test with 6-mercaptopurine monohydrate administered intraperitoneally and orally

The effect of route of administration on the induction of micronucleated polychromatic erythrocytes (MNPCEs) was examined. 6-Mercaptopurine monohydrate (6-MP) was administered intraperitoneally (i.p.) or orally (p.o.) to 2 strains of mice, MS/Ae and CD-1. From the results of an acute toxicity test and a pilot micronucleus test, the doses selected for the final micronucleus test were 12.5-100 mg/kg for the i.p. route and 25-200 mg/kg for the p.o. route. The sampling time was 48 h. Frequencies of MNPCEs increased dose-dependently by the i.p. route but peaked at 50 or 100 mg/kg for the p.o. route. 6-MP induced MNPCEs more efficiently after p.o. administration than after i.p. treatment in both strains.

An actin-interacting heptapeptide in the cofilin sequence

Cofilin, a 21-kDa actin-binding protein, has a hexapeptide sequence DAIKKK which is identical to the N-terminal portion (residues 2-7) of tropomyosin. The synthetic heptapeptide, DAIKKKL, corresponding to residues 122-128 of cofilin, inhibited the binding of cofilin to F-actin in a dose-dependent manner. The heptapeptide cosedimented with F-actin, decreased the fluorescence intensity of pyrene-labeled F-actin, and increased the rate of polymerization of G-actin. The hexapeptides, DIKKKL and DAIKKL, also inhibited the binding of cofilin to F-actin and affected the fluorescence intensity of pyrene-labeled F-actin and the rate of actin polymerization, like the heptapeptide. However, their effects were weaker than those of the heptapeptide. Moreover, the pentapeptide, DIKKL, had little or no effect. These results suggest that the heptapeptide sequence is specific for the interaction with actin and, therefore, may constitute part of the actin-binding domain of cofilin.

Correlation between somatosensory evoked potentials and sensory disturbance in stroke patients

Somatosensory evoked potentials (SEP) were recorded in 125 (n = 151) stroke patients more than 3 weeks after disease onset and in 55 healthy adults. The correlation between sensory disturbance, N20 amplitude ratio, and the central conduction time (CCT) was then investigated. N20 amplitude ratio was given by the amplitude of the affected side divided by that of the unaffected side and presented as a percentage, while CCT represents the time interval between N20 and N13. For the healthy subjects, normal values of CCT were 6.1 +/- 0.4 msec (20-59 years old) and 6.4 +/- 0.4 msec (over 60 years old). Normal amplitude ratios were left side/right side = 97.5 +/- 16.4% and right side/left side = 105.4 +/- 17.7% with the value at the second standard deviation, 64.7%, representing the normal range of the amplitude ratio. Of 98 stroke patients with an abnormal amplitude ratio and 23 with an abnormal CCT, 91.8% and 95.7%, respectively, had sensory disturbance. Conversely, 82.6% of those with sensory disturbance showed an abnormal amplitude ratio, while only 38.6% with sensory disturbance showed an abnormal CCT. There was a definite correlation between sensory disturbance and either CCT or amplitude ratio, however, there was none between CCT and amplitude ratio. On the basis of these results, we concluded that amplitude ratio would be more effective than CCT as a parameter for monitoring sensory disturbance in stroke patients.

Cardiovascular actions of buflomedil and possible mechanisms involved

Cardiovascular effects of buflomedil (Bufedil) were studied in dogs, rabbits and guinea pigs. 1. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, buflomedil (0.32-5.12 mg/kg i.v.) induced a dose-dependent fall of blood pressure and a slight increase of heart rate at 0.32-1.28 mg/kg but a heart rate decrease at 2.56 and 5.12 mg/kg. 2. Buflomedil administered into the maxillary (10-320 micrograms/kg), internal carotid (40-320 micrograms/kg) and vertebral artery (20-640 micrograms/kg) increased respective blood flows dose-dependently. 3. Buflomedil (i.v.) also produced dose-dependent increases of the maxillary blood flow at 0.08-0.64 mg/kg, internal carotid flow at 1.28-5.12 mg/kg and vertebral flow at 0.32-5.12 mg/kg, respectively. These increasing effects were attenuated at larger doses because of marked hypotension. 4. Buflomedil (10 mg/kg i.v.) reduced pressor responses to norepinephrine (noradrenaline) and enhanced depressor responses to isoprenaline (isoproterenol), without affecting depressor responses to acetylcholine and positive chronotropic responses to norepinephrine and isoprenaline. 5. After buflomedil (i.v.), the femoral and coronary blood flow increased dose-dependently while renal blood flow decreased. These increasing effects were also reduced at larger doses because of hypotension. 6. Buflomedil (i.v.) induced a dose-dependent increase of cardiac output at 0.16-0.64 mg/kg, biphasic changes at 1.28 and 2.56 mg/kg and a marked decrease and subsequent slight increase at a large dose of 5.12 mg/kg. 7. 4-Desmethylbuflomedil (i.v.); elicited dose-dependent biphasic changes of blood pressure at 0.64-5.12 mg/kg, and a slight increase of heart rate at 0.32-2.56 mg/kg but decreases at 5.12 mg/kg. It also elevated, dose-dependently, the maxillary blood flow at 0.16-5.12 mg/kg and vertebral flow at 1.28-5.12 mg/kg.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Cardiovascular effects of 1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-diphenylmethylpiperazinyl) ethanol and possible mechanisms involved

Cardiovascular effects of NC-1100 (1-(3,4-dimethoxyphenyl)-2-(4-diphenylmethylpiperazinyl)ethanol and possible modes of action were studied in dogs and guinea pigs. 1. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, intravenous administration of NC-1100 (0.05-1.6 mg/kg) induced a dose-dependent fall of blood pressure, a bradycardia followed by temporal tachycardia, a slight and transient stimulation of respiration and a prolongation of the R-R interval with slight augmentations of P, R and T waves in ECG. 2. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, NC-1100 (2.5-80 micrograms/kg) administered to the maxillary and vertebral artery dose-dependently increased the blood flow in the respective artery. 3. Intravenous administration of NC-1100 (0.05-1.6 mg/kg) also exhibited dose-dependent increases of the maxillary and vertebral blood flow, though the increase in maxillary flow was a little reduced at a high dose of 1.6 mg/kg. Intravenous administration of NC-1100 (0.1-1.6 mg/kg) caused a slight increase in the aortic and coronary blood flow, a decrease in renal flow and a slight and transient decrease followed by an increase in femoral flow. 4. In pentobarbital-anesthetized dogs, NC-1100 (1 mg/kg) administered i.v. did not affect responses of blood pressure and heart rate to norepinephrine and isoprenaline (isoproterenol) but slightly inhibited hypotensive responses to acetylcholine. NC-1100 had no effect on hypertension elicited by carotid sinus reflex and on bradycardia by vagus stimulation. NC-1100 slightly inhibited the tachycardia elicited by pre- as well as postganglionic stellate stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)