The physiological property and function of the electrolyzed-ionized calcium Aquamax on water molecular clusters fractionization

Aquamax, the ionized mineral (Ca, 21 mg/ml; MG, 0.068 mg/ml; Na 0.13 mg/ml; K, 0.006 mg/ml) is a fermented organic mineral extract. The fundamental physiological property and function of this mineral is to promote the molecular level mineral supply to the cell inside. The contained minerals exist at a molecular level to fractionize the molecular clusters of water and to make water's penetration ratio into objects higher only at 0.1-0.2% concentration. Existing minerals, especially the calcium, were barely dissolved in water, and its low penetration was caused by its low electrolyzed behavior plus the effects from an anion mineral, such as phosphorous, sulfur, nitrogen, or any oxalic acid combining with a colloidal calcium to construct and crystallize as the calcium phosphate and the calcium sulfate. Aquamax minerals penetrate into objects to fractionize water molecular clusters and to make water functional, neutralize in the anion mineral and oxalic acid elements, raise the object's electric conductivity, and preserve perishables.

An abnormal sodium metabolism in Japanese patients with essential hypertension, judged by serum sodium distribution, renal function and the renin-aldosterone system

OBJECTIVE

The role of the renin-aldosterone system and the ability of renal sodium reabsorption to facilitate pressure natriuresis were analyzed by using a sufficient number of Japanese patients with essential hypertension.

METHODS

We studied 3222 normal Japanese subjects (610 in Kashiwa City Hospital and 2612 in Shinshu University Hospital), 741 Japanese patients with essential hypertension (256 in Kashiwa City Hospital and 485 in Shinshu University Hospital), 20 patients with aldosterone-producing adenomas and 11 patients with idiopathic hyperaldosteronism to determine the possible roles of sodium, renal function, and plasma aldosterone concentration (PAC) on blood pressure elevation. Inappropriate elevation of aldosterone levels [elevation of the aldosterone:plasma renin activity (PRA) ratio] was used to assess aldosterone action.

RESULTS

The peak of the serum sodium distribution curve was approximately 2 mmol/l higher in the patients with essential hypertension than it was in controls. The prevalence of higher serum sodium concentrations (> or = 147 mmol/l) also was increased significantly hypertensive patients. Age-related deterioration of renal function did not explain the hypertension and abnormal sodium metabolism in the hypertensive patients. In stepwise regression analysis, the serum sodium concentration was related inversely to the PRA and positively to the PAC:PRA ratio. Although there was an inverse relationship between urinary sodium excretion (representing sodium intake) and the PRA, urinary sodium excretion proved not to be significant as a source of variation in the PAC or in the PAC:PRA ratio in the hypertensive patients. Although the PAC was within the normal range in patients with serum sodium concentrations of 147 mmol/l or more and an elevated PAC:PRA ratio, it was inappropriately high for the stimulus applied, as indicated by the PRA; this is similar to the situation with aldosterone-producing adenomas or idiopathic hyperaldosteronism.

CONCLUSION

Serum sodium distribution patterns differed between normal subjects and patients with essential hypertension in this Japanese population. The deterioration of renal function and increased sodium intake did not explain this abnormal sodium metabolism. A higher serum sodium concentration is related to an elevated blood pressure, and, in some patients, an inappropriate elevation of plasma aldosterone levels. Of the Japanese hypertensive patients, 10-14% exhibited serum sodium concentrations of 147 mmol/l or more and inappropriate elevations of aldosterone level (suppressed PRA and normal aldosterone level). The defect in these patients presumably lies in the inappropriately high secretion of aldosterone.

A 11.5-kb 5'-terminal cDNA sequence of chicken breast muscle connectin/titin reveals its Z line binding region

A partial 5'-region cDNA (11.5 kb) of chicken breast muscle connectin/titin encoding 3752 amino acids was sequenced. The predicted amino acid sequence contains 31 immunoglobulin C2 motifs and 10 interdomains. The sequence suggests a skeletal muscle type of connectin isoforms. Immunoelectron microscopic studies using antisera raised against several products of the cDNA fragments expressed in E. coli revealed that a region of some 800 amino acids from the N terminus of connectin is involved in its binding to the Z line in a sarcomere.

The presence/absence polymorphism and evolution of the p53 pseudogene in the genus Mus

Distribution of the p53 pseudogene within the house mouse species (genus Mus) was studied with polymerase chain reaction for 37 individuals that were caught at different localities. Pseudogene-specific fragments were detected in some, but not all, individuals of Mus musculus subspecies regardless of locality and type of subspecies. In addition, 3 of 7 individuals belonging to different Mus species carried the pseudogene in their genomes. These results show the existence of an interspecific presence/absence polymorphism of the p53 pseudogene in mice. Sequence analysis of 11 amplified 0.3-kb fragments suggested that the pseudogene originated in an ancestral mouse about 7 million years ago. Thus alleles with and without the p53 pseudogene have persisted through the mice speciation. The evolutionary rate for the p53 functional gene was also estimated to be about 3.3 x 10(-9) per nucleotide site per year.

A polyreactive human anti-lipid A monoclonal antibody having cross reactivity to polysaccharide portions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides

A hybridoma cell line producing a human anti-lipid A monoclonal antibody (mAb), FKF-IF3 (IgM (k)) was obtained by cell fusion of Epstein-Barr virus-transformed cells and mouse myeloma. The mAb bound to not only Gram-negative bacterial lipid A, but also to polysaccharide portions of Pseudomonas aeruginosa lipopolysaccharides (LPS). The mAb seemed to recognize two distinct regions of P. aeruginosa LPS other than lipid A, namely the outer core regions of some serotype strains and the O-polysaccharide region of serotype A strains. The mAb cross-reacted with N-acetyl-beta-glucosamine-conjugated bovine serum albumin, N-acetyl-beta-galactosamine-conjugated bovine serum albumin, myosin and actin, but not with other autoantigens such as ss- and ds-DNA, cardiolipin and glycosaminoglycans. The mAb conferred protective activity against a mouse pseudomonal infection model. The evidence suggested that the mAb was a naturally occurring polyspecific antibody that participated in defense against pseudomonal infections.

Scotopic threshold response of the electroretinogram of dogs

OBJECTIVE

To study characteristics of the scotopic threshold response (STR) in dogs.

DESIGN

We recorded the electroretinogram (ERG) in anesthetized Beagles under several recording conditions to examine characteristics of the STR.

ANIMALS

Seven clinically normal Beagles.

PROCEDURE

Beagles were paralyzed by continuous i.v. administration of muscle relaxant and were artificially ventilated with a gas mixture of nitrous oxide and oxygen during experiments. Corneal ERG were recorded, using full-field white stimuli, under several recording conditions.

RESULTS

The canine STR was a simple corneal negative response elicited by dim stimuli below the b-wave threshold. Maximal amplitude of the canine STR was approximately 50 to 120 microV, much larger than those of other animal species, such as human beings, monkeys, and cats. Peak latency of the maximal STR was approximately 75 to 96 milliseconds. The spectral sensitivity of the canine STR corresponded to that of the canine rod visual pigment. The canine STR was completely eliminated by dim background light, which had no suppressive effect on the a- and b-waves. By using such dim background light, we could record the photoreceptor-derived a-wave in the ERG intensity series.

CONCLUSIONS

In Beagles, the STR strongly influences the ERG waveforms recorded under the dark-adapted condition. Special attention may be necessary in using the dark-adapted ERG to assess the retinal photoreceptor function. Canine STR is expected to be a good indicator of assessment of the proximal retinal function in dogs, and Beagles might be a good experimental animal for the study of the STR.

Molecular cloning of a partial cDNA clone encoding the C terminal region of chicken breast muscle connectin

The cDNA sequence encoding the C terminal region of chicken skeletal muscle connectin was described. Its predicted amino acid sequence had 1,021 amino acids comprising six motif Ils (Immunoglobulin C2 domain) and five interdomains. The sequence showed 70-75% homology with that of human cardiac connectin, but 168 amino acids including one motif II were missing in chicken skeletal muscle connectin. The C terminal sequence of chicken skeletal muscle connectin reported by the previous work (Maruyama et al., 1994) was erroneous due to the accidental ligation of the cDNA clone encoding a N terminal region of connectin with a partial porin cDNA clone.

Hypertension in acromegaly: hereditary hypertensive factor produces hypertension by enhancing IGF-I production

Sixty-four patients with acromegaly were retrospectively analyzed to study the incidence and cause of hypertension in acromegaly. WHO criteria indicate that 37.5% patients with acromegaly have hypertension. The blood pressure was positively correlated with age, the insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) and serum sodium (Na) concentration. In addition, IGF-I and Na were significantly different in hypertensive and normotensive groups. Seventy-five percent of hypertensive patients had a family history of hypertension. IGF-I, Na and blood pressure were significantly higher in patients with a family history of hypertension than in those without it. In patients with a family history of hypertension, blood pressure was positively correlated with IGF-I and serum Na, but IGF-I was not correlated with serum Na. In patients without such a family history, blood pressure had a good correlation only with age, and IGF-I was not significantly correlated with blood pressure. In addition, the incidence of hypertension in this group was the same as or lower than that in the general population. The above results suggest that the genetic factor produces hypertension in acromegaly by two ways, by increasing Na and enhancing IGF-I production by GH.

Rod and cone components in the dog electroretinogram during and after dark adaptation

In anesthetized beagle dogs, electroretinograms (ERGs) were recorded with full-field stimuli during, and after, dark adaptation. With blue stimuli, a cornea-positive b-wave appeared at 13 min in the dark, and b-wave increased in amplitude and peak latency with dark adaptation, reaching near-plateau level approximately 61 min after bleaching. This b-wave was considered to be derived from rods (scotopic b-wave) based on its spectral sensitivity function. After about 31 min, oscillatory potentials and a small cornea-negative wave preceding the b-wave appeared. With red stimuli, a small cornea-positive b-wave with a short peak latency appeared immediately after the start of dark adaptation. The amplitude and peak latency of this wave remained substantially unchanged for 16 min. It then gradually became obscure after the appearance, and increase in amplitude, of scotopic components. After 2 hr dark adaptation, ERGs elicited by blue and red stimuli showed essentially the same waveforms, and in contrast to the situation in humans and monkeys, the cone component was not easily distinguished in the waveform elicited by red stimulus. It was confirmed that the ERG elicited by red stimulus, under blue-green background light sufficient to eliminate rod components, included a cone-derived photopic b-wave. The ERGs elicited by red stimuli were not different from those elicited by blue stimuli, because the photopic b-wave had a very small amplitude relative to the scotopic b-wave and a peak latency very similar to that of the scotopic cornea-negative small wave.

[A case of histological complete remission by preoperative intraarterial infusion chemotherapy]

We experienced a case of histological complete remission by preoperative intraarterial infusion chemotherapy in the treatment of histologically diagnosed endometrial cancer of well differentiated type. MRI demonstrated invasion of the myometrium to a depth of more than 1/2 and left partial parametrium. This patient was given intra-uterine arterial infusion chemotherapy twice (CDDP & ADM ia, CPA iv). Radical hysterectomy was done 3 weeks after intraarterial infusion chemotherapy. The extirpated uterus was histologically complete remission. Thus, in this case shows that intraarterial infusion chemotherapy is effective for neo-adjuvant chemotherapy of endometrial cancer.

Age-related accumulation of high-molecular-weight ubiquitin protein conjugates in mouse brains

It has been demonstrated that the amount of ubiquitin (Ub)-protein conjugates increases in the whole brain homogenates of old mice. To determine the specificity of the accumulation of the conjugates, we further investigated age-related changes in Ub-protein conjugates in other tissues (heart, liver, and kidney), and also in various regions (cerebrum, cerebellum, brain stem, and medulla oblongata) of the brain. The amount of high-molecular-weight Ub-protein conjugates (HMW, > 60KDa) increased remarkably in all regions of the brain examined, especially in the cerebellum, of senescent mice, but not much in other tissues. No appreciable difference in the size of free Ub pool was found between young and old mice except in the medulla oblongata. This suggests that the increase in Ub-protein conjugates is not simply due to a rise in the free Ub pool. The activity of isopeptidases in homogenates was estimated by measuring rates of deubiquitination of endogenous Ub-protein conjugates under ATP-depleted conditions. In the brain stem and medulla oblongata, they decreased significantly with age. In the cerebrum and cerebellum, however, no significant difference was observed between young and old animals. These results partially explain the increases observed in medulla and brain stem, but cannot explain the increases in cerebrum and cerebellum.

NF1 gene mutations in Japanese with neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1)

Neurofibromatosis 1 (NF1) is an autosomal dominant disease characterized by abnormalities in multiple tissues derived from the neural crest. We analysed 50 unrelated Japanese patients for NF1 mutations by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis for exons 28 to 36. Here, we demonstrate a single base pair (bp) insertional mutations in exon 31 in one patient (5843insA/5844insA/5845insA/5846insA) and a single adenine to guanine transitional mutation 4 bp upstream from the 3' end of intron 31 in two unrelated cases. The insertional mutation in exon 31 was novel and resulted in premature termination of the transcript. The other intron 31 mutations resulted in 4 bp insertions of cDNA between exon 31 and exon 32 with premature termination of the transcript, indicating that those transitions of intron 31 caused aberrant splice acceptor sites upstream from the 5' end of exon 32. However, as the same mutation of intron 31 has been reported previously in two cases of unrelated Caucasians, the splice junction mutation of intron 31 is thought to be common among different ethnic groups.

Three-dimensional architecture of human cutaneous vascular lesions: a scanning electron microscopic study of corrosion casts

Corrosion casts were made from angiosarcoma of the scalp of an elderly person, Klippel-Trenaunay syndrome, pseudo-Kaposi's sarcoma, diffuse neonatal hemangiomatosis, cavernous hemangioma and arteriovenous malformation and were examined by scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The normal scalp from a cadaver was studied as a control for the angiosarcoma of the scalp. the SEM of the vascular corrosion casts clearly demonstrated the fine three-dimensional (3-D) architectures of malignant and benign cutaneous vascular lesions; the superficial fine and medium-sized vascular networks of the skin were replaced by abnormal balloon-like dilatations, extravasated fringes, glomerular structures, sinusoidal vessels or localized bulla-like structures of the capillary loops, depending on the nature of the cutaneous vascular lesions. The corrosion cast technique is helpful for understanding the 3-D patterns of various vascular lesions.

Attempt to discriminate between bovine viral-diarrhoea virus strains using polymerase chain reaction

The polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was applied to detect bovine viral-diarrhoea mucosal-disease virus (BVDV). By the use of properly prepared primers, cytopathogenic NADL, Oregon C24V, Nose, T-20 and KS86-1(+) strains, and non-cytopathogenic New York-1, No. 12, and KS86-1(-) strains could be detected. The PCR system was applied to field isolates of the viruses. All the viruses were detected by the PCR. Four patterns of the PCR amplification were recognized, and it was possible to discriminate between some strains. These results corresponded with the serotype of BVDV, as determined by the serum-neutralizing test. The BVDV gene was detectable from the leucocytes of infected cattle using the PCR method. Moreover, it was possible to detect and discriminate BVDV strains using one PCR tube that included all primer pairs.

Entire scalp replantation: case report and review of the literature

A case of successful replantation of a totally avulsed scalp in a 40-year-old woman is presented. During a 19-hr surgical procedure, bilateral superficial temporal arteries and veins were anastomosed. The postoperative course was uneventful, except for partial necrosis of the distal end of the avulsed flap, i.e., the occipital region. Since the first successful scalp replantation using microsurgical technique was reported in 1976, the authors have found at least 32 subsequently reported cases. Of these, there were 22 cases of entire scalp avulsion (more than 80 percent of the scalp), including 15 females and seven males. A summary of these cases is included. From analysis of the reported cases of entire scalp avulsion, the keys to success in scalp replantation are considered to be the adequate selection of vessels for repair and the use of vein grafts, if necessary.

Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma originating on the eyelid

An 89-year-old woman presented a rapidly growing red nodule of 5 years' duration on her left eyelid. Histologically, the entire dermis was occupied by multiple lobules of atypical tumor cell nests surrounded by inflammatory cells and fibrous stroma. The tumor cell nests were connected with the overlying epidermis and extended into the subcutaneous fat and muscles. There were no tendencies towards squamous or glandular differentiation of the tumor cells. Immunohistochemistry showed the tumor cells to be positive for keratin/cytokeratin and epithelial membrane antigen, but negative for neuron specific enolase and vasoactive intestinal polypeptide. S-100 protein-positive Langerhans cells were also found within the tumor nests. There was no apparent evidence of a primary lesion elsewhere.

Quality of peptic ulcer healing induced by lansoprazole and roxatidine

This study reports preliminary results of a controlled, multicenter trial on the quality of ulcer healing induced by lansoprazole (LPZ) or roxatidine (R) in gastric ulcer (GU) or duodenal ulcer (DU) patients. Group A received LPZ 30 mg q.d. and group B received R 75 mg b.i.d. All drugs were given for 8 weeks in GU and for 6 weeks in DU. Endoscopy and gastric biopsy were performed to detect Helicobacter pylori before and on completion of treatment. The healing rates of groups A and B were 100 and 69.2%, respectively, in GU and 100 and 70.0%, respectively, in DU. This difference (p < 0.01) was significant between the two groups in GU. There was no significant difference between the two groups in the S2 stage shift rate in GU and DU. The H. pylori clearance rates of groups A and B were 33.3 and 20.0%, respectively, in GU and 62.5 and 33.3%, respectively, in DU. The differences in treatment response (healing rates and S2 shift rates) between the LPZ group and the R group may be related to the differences in suppression of acid secretion and in bactericidal effects on H. pylori.

[Neurons in monkey parietal association cortex sensitive to axis orientation]

Patients with parietal lesions may fail to adjust the orientation of the hand to that of the target object or may make errors in judging the orientation of the bar. This suggests that the parietal cortex functions to discriminate the orientation of objects. Therefore, we studied orientation selectivity of the visual neurons of the posterior parietal association cortex of alert behaving monkeys. We recorded 23 neurons that showed selectivity in the axis orientation of visual stimulus in the lateral bank and fundus of the caudal part of the intraparietal sulcus (IPS). Almost all the neurons tested with a slit on the screen responded better to a longer or narrower stimulus. There were also neurons which responded only to three dimensional objects, such as a bar presented in the sagittal orientation tilted forward or backward. The majority of these neurons had wide receptive fields and their responses were position-invariant. These results suggest that the axis orientation selective neurons of the parietal cortex represent orientation of the longitudinal axis of objects in 3-dimensional space.

Oral florid papillomatosis and leukoplakia of the esophagus associated with keratoderma and showing transepidermal elimination

A 37-year-old male presented with a cauliflower-like tumor in the right buccal mucosa, leukoplakia of the tongue and esophagus, and keratotic papules or plaques on the extremities including bilateral palms and soles, associated with borderline diabetes mellitus and a repeated history of infections. A multi-system keratinizing abnormality was suspected, although no distinct disease category has been found showing similar involvements.

Difference in allelic expression of genes probably associated with tumor progression in murine fibrosarcomas and cell lines

Allelic expression was examined by single-strand conformation polymorphism analysis in murine fibrosarcomas from inter-subspecific F1 mice between C57BL/6 and MSM. Ten genes encoding p53, mdm2, E-cadherin, 72 kD metalloproteinase and its inhibitor (Timp2), thymidine kinase and four glucose transporters (Gluts) were examined. These genes were chosen because of their probable association with tumor development and progression. In some of the tumors and cell lines, p53, E-cadherin and Glut3 genes showed remarkable differences in allelic expression, one allele being poorly expressed. The allele-specificity persisted in nine cell lines obtained by repeated transplantations from one tumor. These results suggest that expression of some genes is allele-specific in tumor cells and the pattern of specificity is stable. Such a decrease or a loss of expression in one of the alleles may be functionally equivalent to the loss of heterozygosity of the gene, and therefore this may confer malignant properties on tumor cells. It is also suggested that differential expression of two alleles is a common event in tumor cells.

Pilonidal sinus of the axilla: report of five patients and review of the literature

Five patients with a pilonidal sinus of the axilla--thought to be the 9th to 13th described in the literature--are reported. All patients were nonhirsute, healthy women aged 17 to 30 years. One or two hairs were seen macroscopically and histologically in 3 of 5 patients, and 1 hair was seen macroscopically in the remaining 2 patients. Friction (abduction-adduction) or suction, as well as assorted factors such as shaving, minor infection, and maceration, seemed to be the most probable cause of pilonidal sinus of the axilla. Complete resection, including the openings of 1 or 2 sinuses, is the only suitable treatment for axillary suppuration.

Amplification of a c-yes-1-related oncogene in canine lymphoid leukemia

Genomic DNAs from 4 canine spontaneous lymphoid neoplasms were examined by Southern blot hybridization using 7 kinds of oncogene probes. Analysis using a human c-yes-1 cDNA probe revealed amplification of the proto-oncogene in a DNA sample from a dog with lymphoid leukemia. Its degree was about 4- to 8-fold in comparison with a control DNA sample from a healthy dog. The genomic abnormality of canine c-yes-1-related oncogene may have a role in the tumorigenesis of this neoplasm, although the significance of the structural change in this oncogene remains unclear.

The effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on left ventricular mass and left ventricular hemodynamics in hemodialysis patients

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of recombinant human erythropoietin (r-HuEPO) on left ventricular mass. Twenty-seven hemodialysis patients (13 men and 14 women) were given r-HuEPO for renal anemia. Blood pressure and heart rate were measured before and after the 16-week course of r-HuEPO, and at the same time echocardiography was performed to measure left ventricular dimensions and wall thickness. These measurements were used to calculate left ventricular volume, cardiac output (CO), and left ventricular mass (LVmass). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) increased after administration of r-HuEPO (from 75.8 +/- 10.8 mmHg to 85.6 +/- 12.7 mmHg), but there was no change in systolic blood pressure (SBP) or heart rate. LVmass increased significantly in seven cases (from 194.7 +/- 40.0 g to 240.3 +/- 47.3 g). These cases, Group I, showed no decline in stroke volume (SV) or CO, and showed significant increases in SBP. In the remaining 20 cases, Group II, LVmass decreased or was unchanged. In this group SV and CO decreased, but there was no increase in SBP. We conclude that increases in LVmass may be associated with elevated systolic blood pressure and hypertrophy of the left ventricular wall, when hemodialysis patients with severe renal anemia are given r-HuEPO.