The innervation of the chromaffin cells in the head kidney of the carp, Cyprinus carpio; regional differences of the connections between nerve endings and chromaffin cells

Nerve fibres and their connections with chromaffin cells in the carp head kidney were studied by light and electron microscopy. Some nerve bundles entered the head kidney from the dorsal aspect along veins. Many unmyelinated axons emerged from the nerve bundles to invade the clusters of chromaffin cells, the distribution of which was restricted to the neighbourhood of the venous trunks and their tributaries. Most of the nerve endings were attached to a chromaffin cell by synaptic junctions and were generally invaginated into the cell. Some nerve endings were flattened in shape and connected with two chromaffin cells. Occasional exocytotic figures of synaptic vesicles opening into the intercellular space, or synaptic junctions along the course of the nerve fibre were observed. The percentage of the chromaffin cells supplied by nerve endings in the head kidney as a whole was similar to that in primitive amphibians. The distribution of the chromaffin cells and the frequency of their innervation suggest that carp chromaffin cells are phylogenetically similar to those of amphibians. The frequencies of synaptic connections in the carp head kidney showed regional differences. The number in dorsal portion was significantly higher than that in two ventral portions. It is suggested that chromaffin cells in the head kidney are separable into two populations: one (in the dorsal portion) shows closer and the other (in the ventral portions) less contact with nerve fibres. The fine structure of the nerve endings indicates that catecholamine secretion of carp chromaffin cells is partially modulated by nerve fibres (probably preganglionic cholinergic fibres). However, the low frequency of synaptic connections on the chromaffin cells and their distribution suggest that carp chromaffin cells are mainly modulated by the endocrine system via the bloodstream.

Dissolution of residual microfragments with citrate therapy after extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy

Residual microfragments after ESWL were studied for their presence and for possibility of dissolution with citrate therapy. Among 123 patients with renal stones who became stone-free following ESWL, a computed tomogram (CT) identified remaining microfragments within the treated kidney in 31.7% of the patients, even though stone fragments were not detectable on ordinary x-ray (KUU). The experiments, in which calcium oxalate stone fragments collected after ESWL were incubated in buffer solutions with citrate 0 to 4 mmol/L, showed that citrate dissolved the stone fragments. Using human urine as a solution, the dissolving effect was greater in spot urines after alkali citrate administration than in control urines. Eighteen patients with microfragments underwent a follow-up CT 3 months later. The results showed that the microfragments had disappeared in 6 of 11 (54.5%) patients who had been taking alkali citrate, whereas microfragments remained unchanged in all 5 patients without medication. Our results suggest that citrate therapy would be advisable as a prophylaxis for stone recurrence especially after ESWL treatment.

Minipreparation of total cellular DNA is useful as an alternative molecular marker of mitochondrial DNA for the identification of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and T. rubrum

Total cellular DNA was extracted from 18 isolates of Trichophyton mentagrophytes and six isolates of unidentified Trichophyton species taken from tinea corporis, tinea cruris and tinea pedis patients by a minipreparation method. The DNA was digested with the restriction enzymes HaeIII and MspI, followed by electrophoresis on agarose gels. The restriction enzyme profiles of the DNAs were compared with those of mitochondrial (mt) DNA extracted from reference strains of T. mentagrophytes (Arthroderma simii, A. benhamiae and A. vanbreuseghemii) and T. rubrum. All 18 T. mentagrophytes isolates showed the same DNA profiles as mtDNA from A. vanbreuseghemii. The six unidentified Trichophyton isolates exhibited DNA profiles the same as that of mtDNA from T. rubrum. Consequently, these isolates were identified as T. rubrum. In conclusion, restriction enzyme analysis of total cellular DNA prepared by the minipreparation method is considered to be useful as an alternative method of mtDNA analysis and is helpful for the identification of these dermatophyte species.

Development of a ferrocene-mediated needle-type glucose sensor covered with newly designed biocompatible membrane, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate

To prepare the long-life and stable glucose sensor, we developed the ferrocene-mediated needle-type glucose sensor covered with newly designed biocompatible membrane, 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine-co-n-butyl methacrylate (MPC-co-BMA) membrane. In this membrane, the hydrophilic phosphorylcholine chains were grafted on the hydrophobic polymer surface. 1. The poly(MPC-co-BMA) membrane inhibited platelet activation and protein adhesion on the surface, showing excellent biocompatibility. These results suggested that the hydrophilic phospholipids chains might have the potential for suppressing activation and adsorption of biochemical molecules. 2. The ferrocene-mediated needle-type glucose sensor covered with poly(MPC-co-BMA) membrane achieved excellent results in vitro. Subcutaneous tissue glucose concentrations were measured in a wide range from 1.7 to more than 16.7 mmol/l. The correlation between subcutaneous tissue (Y) and blood (X) glucose concentrations was Y = 1.04X + 0.12 (r = 0.98). The subcutaneous tissue glucose concentrations could be monitored precisely for 7 days without any in vivo calibrations, and for 14 days by introducing in vivo calibrations. We therefore conclude that this sensor is stable and reliable, as compared to any other glucose sensors we developed.

Characterization of nodules induced by bioactive glass on cultured periodontal-ligament fibroblasts

We previously reported that materials leached from bioactive glass (BG) and vitamin D3 induced the formation of nodules on cultured periodontal-ligament fibroblasts (PLF). In this study, we have investigated the relationship between the conditions of the materials and nodule formation, analyzed morphologically, and also studied whether the production of nodules was specific to cultured PLF. PLF and skin fibroblasts were cultured in the presence or absence of BG. The amounts of calcium, phosphate, sodium and silicon in the culture medium and the number of nodules were measured at the 55th day. The nodules were observed microscopically and analyzed using an X-ray microanalyzer. In PLF, nodules were formed regardless of the presence or absence of BG; however, they were more numerous in the presence of BG. In skin fibroblasts, nodules were not observed. The amounts of calcium and silicon were higher in the presence of BG, while the amount of phosphate was lower. The nodules appeared crystalline with a spongy structure and contained calcium and phosphorus. Our results show that the nodules were associated with PLF and precipitated by the materials (higher concentrations of calcium and silicon), and they were spongy crystal composed of calcium and phosphorus.

Expression of insulin receptor on clonal pancreatic alpha cells and its possible role for insulin-stimulated negative regulation of glucagon secretion

In pancreatic alpha cells, the existence and function of the insulin receptor has not yet been fully established. In this study, to confirm the expression of functional insulin receptors in pancreatic alpha cells, we performed: 1) insulin receptor binding assay, 2) Northern blot analysis and RT-PCR (reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction) amplification of insulin receptor mRNA, 3) immunocytochemical staining, 4) biosynthetic labelling of insulin receptor protein using [35S]methionine, 5) analysis of insulin-stimulated autophosphorylation of the insulin receptor in glucagon secreting cell lines, In-R1-G9 and alpha TC clone 6 cells. Glucagon secretion decreased with the addition of insulin in both cells. The receptor binding studies using [125I-Tyr-A14] insulin revealed that both cells possessed a significant number of insulin receptors (In-R1-G9:K1 = 2.1 x 10(9) mol/l-1, K2 = 6.2 x 10(7) mol/l-1, R1 = 0.27 x 10(4), R2 = 1.86 x 10(4) sites/cell; alpha TC clone 6: K1 = 2.1 x 10(9) mol/l-1, K2 = 7.3 x 10(7) mol/l-1, R1 = 0.27 x 10(4), R2 = 1.95 x 10(4) sites/cell). Northern blot analysis as well as RT-PCR amplification showed the mRNA specific for insulin receptor in both cells. By immunocytochemical staining using anti-insulin receptor alpha-subunit antibody, positive immunostaining for insulin receptor was observed in both cells. [35S]Methionine labelling of both cells followed by immunoprecipitation using anti-insulin receptor antibody showed the correct size of the insulin receptor protein. The insulin receptor expressed in these cells underwent autophosphorylation by insulin stimulation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Mortality from coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular disease and associated risk factors in diabetic patients in Osaka District, Japan

Mortality from coronary heart disease (CHD) and cerebrovascular disease (CVD), as well as associated risk factors, were examined. The subjects studied were 1939 non-insulin-dependent diabetic (NIDDM) patients and 503 deaths were observed during a mean follow-up period of 9.4 years. Of these deaths, 62 were CHD deaths and 84 were CVD deaths. The mortality rates per 1000 person-years from CHD were 3.95 for males and 2.57 for females and those from CVD were 5.12 and 3.86 for males and females, respectively, showing a higher mortality for males and an increasing trend with age. The baseline factors associated with CHD mortality were age at entry into the study, hypertension, ischemic ECG changes, serum cholesterol level, diabetic retinopathy and albuminuria, while those associated with CVD were age at entry, hypertension, ischemic ECG changes, diabetic retinopathy, albuminuria and therapeutic regimen, all of which were found to be significant by univariate analysis. The relationships were further analyzed by the multiple logistic method. In addition, the baseline characteristics of the patients who died of CHD and CVD were compared with those of patients who died from other causes. The baseline characteristics in cases of deaths from CHD and CVD were significantly different from those of deaths from other causes in terms of obesity, ischemic ECG changes, serum cholesterol level and serum triglycerides level for deaths from CHD and in terms of age at onset, age at death and hypertension for deaths from CVD.

Elevated cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase activity in peripheral blood mononuclear leucocytes from children with atopic dermatitis

We examined peripheral blood mononuclear leucocyte cyclic adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase (cAMP-PDE) activity in 80 children (aged 2-12 years) with atopic dermatitis. The enzyme activity (35.1 +/- 18.6 U) in children with atopic dermatitis was significantly higher than that (19.1 +/- 12.6 U) in age-matched non-atopic controls. There was no significant difference in the cAMP-PDE activity between children with mild atopic dermatitis and children with severe atopic dermatitis. These findings support the view that elevation of peripheral mononuclear leucocyte cAMP-PDE activity in patients with atopic dermatitis is a gene-associated abnormality.

Ultrastructure of blood vessels in the head kidney of the carp, Cyprinus carpio

The ultrastructural features of blood vessels were examined by transmission and scanning electron microscopy in the perfused and nonperfused head kidney of the carp. They consisted mainly of the sinusoidal capillaries, arterioles, veins and portal veins. The sinusoidal capillaries were composed of endothelial cells that frequently exhibited large pores and an indistinct basal lamina. Some endothelial cells were trabecular in shape and protruded into the lumen. The reticular cells frequently attached to the outside of the endothelial cells, and macrophages were located on the luminal and abluminal surfaces of the endothelial cells. The arterioles possessed continuous endothelial cells with a thick basal lamina, continuous smooth muscle layers and a thick adventitia with collagen fibres and reticular cells. The veins were characterised by fenestrated endothelial cells and thin connective tissue. The portal veins were composed of continuous electron-lucent endothelial cells and thick layers of reticular cells and collagen fibres. The differences between the endothelial cells in each blood vessel probably reflect the various functions of the carp head kidney. The ultrastructural features of the sinusoids and the portal veins resemble those of lymphatic vessels of mammals and appear to relate to macrophage and lymphoid cell migration and proliferation in the carp head kidney.

[Analysis of birch pollen allergen]

Birch Pollen is one of common causal agents of nasal allergy (pollinosis) in Hokkaido, Japan. We have previously reported the positive association of the pollinosis with HLA-DR9 antigens. It was reported by others that Bet vI, a 17kDa protein with known amino acid sequences represented the major allergen of birch pollen in Europe. We have tried to determine the location of possible allergenic activity on the 17kDa protein of Japanese birch pollen (Betura Platyphylla var. Japonica). In this study, we have examined the lymphocytes proliferative response (LPR) for trypsin digested materials of a 17kDa protein obtained from Betura Platyphylla var. Japonica. The strong response of lymphocyte was observed against the peptide fragments composed of amino acids from 22nd to 33rd (22-33) and from 56th to 66th (56-66) of the Bet vI molecule. It was also found that our 17kDa protein had isoleusine substitution for phenylalanine at position 31. By using synthetic peptides, we showed that asparagine at position 29 of 22-33 and glutamic acid at position 61 of 56-66 were critical for LPR.

Impaired ability of neutrophils to produce oxygen-derived free radicals in patients with chronic liver disease and hepatocellular carcinoma

To evaluate whether neutrophil bactericidal function, the ability to produce oxygen-derived free radicals, is altered in patients with chronic liver disease, we measured chemiluminescence amplified by a luciferin analog (Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence) and luminol (luminol-dependent chemiluminescence) in response to N-formyl-Met-Lue-Phe by neutrophils from patients with chronic liver diseases due to C and/or B type hepatitis: chronic active hepatitis, cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma. Both Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence and luminol-dependent chemiluminescence were significantly decreased in neutrophils from patients with chronic liver disease (hepatocellular carcinoma < cirrhosis < chronic active hepatitis) when they were compared with normal healthy subjects. The reduction of Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence in chronic active hepatitis and cirrhosis was more sensitive than Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence; however, in hepatocellular carcinoma, luminol-dependent chemiluminescence was more reduced than luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Although there were not significant correlations between glutamic pyruvic transaminase and Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence/luminol-dependent chemiluminescence, there were significant negative correlations between total bilirubin and Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence/luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. Furthermore, there were significant positive correlations between albumin/prothrombin time and Cypridina luciferin analog-dependent chemiluminescence/luminol-dependent chemiluminescence. These data suggest that an impaired ability to produce oxygen-derived free radicals may contribute to the susceptibility to infection in patients with chronic liver disease.

Changes in causes of death in diabetic patients based on death certificates during a 30-year period in Osaka District, Japan, with special reference to cancer mortality

As reported previously, we have conducted studies on causes of death among diabetic patients during the 25-year period, from 1960 to 1984, in Osaka District, Japan. We have now added the most recent 5-year data, for 1985-1989, and analyzed changes in causes of death during the entire 30-year period as a whole. The subjects studied were those for whom a total of 32,222 death certificates had been filed in Osaka Prefecture, from 1960 to 1989, with diabetes mentioned either as the underlying cause or as a contributory condition. The relative number of death certificates mentioning diabetes as the underlying cause, which had been decreasing during the 25-year study period, showed a further decrease, reaching the lowest value, 33.4%, for the period 1985-1989. The mean age at death exceeded 70 years for all causes of death, showing a continuous increasing trend. An increase in disease of the heart and a decrease in cerebrovascular disease were observed, making the difference between the two causes greater since 1980-1984. Malignant neoplasms, ischemic heart disease, and pneumonia and bronchitis also showed steady increases. The O/E ratios (ratio of observed/expected number of deaths) for cirrhosis of the liver and tuberculosis were markedly increased, while that for malignant neoplasms was only about 0.5, suggesting extreme underestimation of the number of diabetic cases with cancer. Among malignant neoplasms, an increasing trend in liver cancer was remarkable and was associated with a relatively high O/E ratio.

Anatomical and histological re-examination of Appendices colli in the goat

Appendices colli (App. colli) were investigated by anatomical and histological methods in the goat. App. colli were composed of elastic cartilage located at central and the skin covering the cartilage, which included arterioles along the cartilage and nerve bundles. Three types of muscles connected to App. colli; superficial muscle bundles, a branch of the omohyoideus muscle, and a muscle arising from the pharyngeal raphe (appendico-pharyngeal muscle). The latter two muscles were connected to the root of the App. colli where the muscle fibers transformed into the perichondrium of the elastic cartilage. The appendico-pharyngeal muscle was innervated by branches from the glossopharyngeal nerve which were composed of myelinated nerve fibers. The subcutaneous area of the App. colli was supplied by cutaneous rami of the vagus and the second cervical nerves. The innervation and the musculature confirmed that the cartilage of the App. colli were derived from third and fourth branchial arches.

Effect on insulin sensitivity of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors with or without a sulphydryl group: bradykinin may improve insulin resistance in dogs and humans

The present study compared the effect on insulin sensitivity of ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group (captopril) or those without a sulphydryl group (delapril and enalapril) during the hyperinsulinaemic euglycaemic clamp test in both animal and clinical experiments. A possible contribution of bradykinin to the improvement of insulin sensitivity by ACE-inhibition was also studied. In healthy control and depancreatized dog experiments, administration of captopril either intravenously (3.0 mmol.kg-1) or orally (5.0 mmol.kg-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. In comparison, intravenous administration of an active metabolite of delapril (3.0 mmol.kg-1) and oral administration of either delapril or enalapril (5.0 mmol.kg-1) showed slight, but not significant increases in insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. Infusion of a bradykinin antagonist (N-alpha-adamantane-acetyl-D-Arg-[Hyp3,Thi5,8,D-Phe7]-b bradykinin) (0.5 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) abolished the effect of captopril on insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, intravenous administration of bradykinin (0.1 nmol.kg-1 x min-1) increased insulin sensitivity indices. In clinical experiments, insulin sensitivity indices decreased in the following order: normotensive healthy subjects, hypertensive non-diabetic patients, normotensive NIDDM patients and hypertensive NIDDM patients. In these four groups, oral administration of captopril (2.0 mmol.kg-1) significantly increased insulin sensitivity indices, and a concomitant increase in plasma bradykinin concentrations was observed. By contrast, oral administration of enalapril or delapril showed slight, but not significant effects on insulin sensitivity indices and plasma bradykinin concentrations. From these studies, it is concluded that ACE inhibitors with a sulphydryl group have more potent action on the improvement in insulin sensitivity than those without a sulphydryl group.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of herbimycin A, an inhibitor of tyrosine kinase, on protein tyrosine kinase activity and phosphotyrosyl proteins of Ph1-positive leukemia cells

Herbimycin A, a benzoquinonoid anasamycin antibiotic, preferentially inhibited the in vitro growth of Ph1-positive leukemia cell lines. On the other hand, genistein, which was developed as an inhibitor of receptor-type tyrosine kinase, and other protein kinase inhibitors showed no selective inhibition of Ph1-positive leukemia cell growth. Herbimycin A also displayed an abrogative effect on the transformation of murine hematopoietic cells by transfection with a bcr/abl oncoprotein-expressing retroviral vector. The antitumor action of herbimycin A on Ph1-positive leukemia cells is related to an inhibition of activity of bcr/abl protein tyrosine kinase and a subsequent reduction of the constitutive phosphotyrosyl proteins, however, the antibiotic has no effect on the expression of bcr/abl mRNA and oncoprotein. Therefore, herbimycin A may provide an important insight into the oncogenic action of bcr/abl oncoprotein and the future development of oncoprotein-targeted therapeutic agents.

Histopathological features of recalcitrant erythema of the face in adult patients with atopic dermatitis

Recalcitrant erythema on the face of 21 adult patients with atopic dermatitis was histologically examined. All patients had been applying topical corticosteroids to the facial erythema for three years or more. The histopathology of the recalcitrant facial erythema was not homogeneous. Thus, the facial erythema was roughly classified into three categories: 1) erythema which mainly showed eczematous changes, 2) erythema which mainly showed steroid-induced rosacea-like changes, and 3) erythema which showed both eczematous changes and steroid-induced rosacea-like changes. The majority (75%) of recalcitrant facial erythema belonged to the third category.

[Analysis of antigenic peptides obtained from Japanese birch pollen]

Allergic rhinitis caused by birch pollen is common in parts of Northern Europe, North America and the northern Japanese island of Hokkaido. The major antigenic fragment of European birch (Betula verrucosa) pollen allergen with a M. W. of 17k dalton was isolated and termed Bet vI. The amino acid sequence of Bet vI has already been identified. We have attempted to identify an antigenic peptide of Japanese birch (Betula platyphylla var. Japonica) pollen allergen. Seventeen Kd fragments separated from pollen allergen by SDS-PAGE were shown to bind with IgE in the pooled sera of pollinosis patients. The fragment was digested with trypsin and fractionated by reverse phase HPLC. Five fractions were identified to have in vitro activities, such as the lymphocyte proliferative response, in pollinosis patients. Amino acid sequences of peptides in the fractions were determined. The sequence of a 12-mer peptide was shown to correspond to that of No 22-33 of Bet vI, except for the amino acid at the 31st position, phenylalanine, which was instead isoleucine. Synthetic peptides based on this sequencing were shown to cause proliferation of lymphocytes, derived from pollinosis patients, which was blocked by monoclonal antibodies to HLA-DR molecules.

Patch test reactions to the acetone-soluble fraction of human dander in atopic dermatitis

An acetone-soluble fraction of human dander provoked positive patch test reactions in 45 (38%) of 120 patients with atopic dermatitis. The positive patch tests were rare in normal controls and clinical controls. The positive patch test reactions histologically showed spongiosis and mononuclear cell migration in the epidermis, edema and mononuclear cell infiltrate in the upper dermis. Scratch tests with the acetone-soluble human dander fraction were positive in only 2 (2%) of the 120 patients examined. It was suggested that in a considerable number of patients with atopic dermatitis, an acetone-soluble fraction of human dander provokes a delayed-type skin reaction without inducing an immediate-type skin reaction.

New insight into oncoprotein-targeted antitumor effect: herbimycin A as an antagonist of protein tyrosine kinase against Ph1-positive leukemia cells

Herbimycin A, a benzoquinonoid anasamycin antibiotic, has been shown to reserve the oncogenic phenotypes of p60v-src transformed cells by the virtue of the inhibition of src protein tyrosine kinase. Furthermore, we previously demonstrated that herbimycin A displayed the antitumor activity on Ph1-positive leukemia cells and bcr/abl oncoprotein-associated transformed murine hematopoietic cells with the transfection of a retroviral vector expressing bcr/abl. Herbimycin A showed preferential inhibition on the in vitro growth of Ph1-positive leukemia cells and bcr/abl oncoprotein-associated murine hematopoietic cells through the inhibition of bcr/abl tyrosine kinase activity and the reduction of subsequent phosphotyrosyl proteins. Recently, from the view of investigating the oncogenic significance or of developing a future clinical application in malignancies, several developing agents targeted against oncoprotein have been tried. We reviewed the present progress in the mechanism of oncoprotein-targeted antitumor effects and focused on herbimycin A-induced antitumor activity on Ph1-positive leukemia cells.

Bioactive glass promoted formation of nodules in periodontal-ligament fibroblasts in vitro

The effects of bioactive glass and vitamin D3 on cultured fibroblasts derived from periodontal-ligament, with respect to their proliferation and alkaline-phosphatase activity were studied. The cells were cultured with or without the bioactive glass and/or vitamin D3, then the number and alkaline-phosphatase activity of the cells were measured periodically until the 33rd day. Formation of mineralized deposits was assessed by staining with alizarin red and von Kossa staining techniques. Fewer fibroblasts grew when they were cultured in the presence of bioactive glass and/or vitamin D3 as compared to those cultures without them. Alkaline-phosphatase activity was greater in the fibroblasts cultured with bioactive glass and vitamin D3 than in the cells grown without them. Mineralized deposits assessed by alizarin red and von Kossa staining techniques were observed microscopically around the fibroblasts cultured with bioactive glass and/or vitamin D3. A nodule visible after drying was evident only when both bioactive glass and vitamin D3 were present in culture. The results showed that although the bioactive glass and vitamin D3 decreased cell proliferation, they increased the alkaline-phosphatase activity of the fibroblasts which formed a nodule, suggesting an effect which might be useful for implant materials.