Developmental and regional alteration of kappa-opioid receptors in seizure-susceptible EL mouse brain

The binding of [3H]ethylketocyclazocine ([3H]EKC) under the suppression of mu and delta sites in the brain of EL mice (seizure-susceptible) was examined to determine the relationship between seizures and the dynorphinergic system. The density of kappa-opioid receptors in the cerebrum of adult EL mice during interictal periods significantly increased, without changes in apparent affinities, compared with that of adult ddY mice (seizure-nonsusceptible; the mother strain of EL). Subsequently, the binding of 0.8 nM [3H]EKC in 8 brain regions was examined in the 2 strains. The [3H]EKC binding in 25-day-old EL mice that had no seizures significantly increased in the hippocampus and amygdala. At the age of 50 days, EL mice displayed abortive seizures, and the number of kappa sites in EL mice was significantly greater in the hippocampus, amygdala and cerebral cortex. It was further shown that the binding of [3H]EKC in 150-day-old adult EL mice during interictal periods was markedly increased in the hippocampus, amygdala, cerebral cortex and striatum, compared with the corresponding regions in ddY mice. The up-regulation of kappa receptors in the EL mouse brain may result from deficits in endogenous dynorphins, which could be involved in the pathogenesis of seizure diathesis and seizure manifestations in the EL mouse.

Interferon-alpha-induced thyroid dysfunction in patients with chronic active hepatitis C: a transient, reversible and self-limited dysfunction

To survey the prognoses of interferon-alpha (IFNalpha)-induced thyroid dysfunction, a total of 100 patients (49 males and 51 females) with biopsy-proven chronic active hepatitis C were studied. Either during or after IFNalpha therapy, 29 patients (33.7%) revealed suppression/elevation of thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) or both, transient thyrotoxicosis (TSH less than 0.1 microU/ml) or transient hypothyroidism (TSH 5.0-190.95 microU/ml). However, the thyroid function normalized without supplementation of the thyroid hormone in the follow-up period. In the same period, one of the 14 control patients (7.1%) developed thyroid dysfunction. Thyroid abnormalities developed significantly more in patients with IFNalpha therapy than in those without IFNalpha therapy. The findings suggest that the occult autoimmune disorder becomes overt with IFNalpha treatment in patients with pre-existent autoimmune thyroid disease. IFNalpha-induced thyroid dysfunction is transient, reversible and self-limited. It is not necessary to discontinue IFNalpha therapy when thyroid dysfunction develops.

A close association between brain lacuna infarction and renal surface irregularity

This study was undertaken to examine the association between brain lacunae examined by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and the severity of renal ischemia, evaluated by computed tomography (CT). We reviewed 114 cases, out of 1694 brain MRI studies and 2861 kidney CT studies undertaken between May 1994 and March 1996 in which both brain MRI and kidney CT were examined. Brain lacunae were defined as low intensity areas between 5 mm and 10 mm in diameter with the T1-weighted image. The severity of irregularity of the renal surface was classified as one of three grades: absent, mild, or severe. The prevalence of brain lacunae in cases with the renal surface irregularity classified as absent, mild, or severe was six of 45, 14 of 45, and 17 of 24, respectively. There was a highly significant relationship (P < .001) between the prevalence of brain lacunae and the severity of the renal surface irregularity. This relationship persisted, even when the subjects were restricted to include hypertensive patients > 60 years old. The irregularity of the renal surface is mainly caused by ischemia due to arteriosclerosis in the renal arteries. The results reported here suggest that brain lacuna infarcts are closely associated with renal ischemia, implicating a causative role of renal ischemia for brain lacunae.

Differential expression of neuroD in primary cultures of cerebral cortical neurons

We have investigated the expression patterns of a basic helix-loop-helix regulatory gene, neuroD, in primary cultures of murine cerebral cortical neurons. The differentiation states of neurons in primary cultures were determined by the sensitivity of neurons to glutamate toxicity and the expression of specific proteins such as the phosphorylated form of a 200-kDa neurofilament, HPC-1/syntaxin 1A, and cell adhesion molecule L1. The expression of neuroD was determined by RT-PCR analysis and in situ hybridization. The experimental results thus obtained revealed that neuronal maturation is initiated between Day 7 and Day 11 in the culture as already known, and that the expression of neuroD decreases with increasing days in culture. Based on these findings, it was concluded that neuroD is expressed in immature neurons but not in mature ones.

Effects of curdlan and gellan gum on the surface structure of intestinal mucosa in rats

The effects of curdlan and gellan gum on the gastrointestinal function were studied, and the morphological structure of the intestinal mucosal surface was observed by scanning electron microscopy of rats fed curdlan and gellan gum diets for four weeks. The rats fed the curdlan diet showed a significant increase in the weight of the cecum and its contents and a decrease in fecal weight as compared to the rats fed a cellulose diet. On the other hand, the rats fed the gellan gum diet showed a weight loss in cecal contents and weight gain in colonic contents. The transit time of the gastrointestinal tract was extended by curdlan supplementation whereas it was shortened by gellan gum supplementation. The surface structures of the ileal and cecal mucosa were markedly abnormal in the rats fed the curdlan diet: the microvilli were tightly packed and had fallen out at places. In the gellan gum-fed rats, the tops of the ileal and cecal microvilli adhered to one another and were covered with their contents. There was no difference in the surface structure of colonic mucosa among the cellulose, curdlan and gellan gum diet groups.

Expression of neural cell adhesion molecule L1 in human lung cancer cell lines

To investigate neuron-specific antigens, hybridoma cells were produced between mouse spleen cells immunized with human neuroblastoma cells (IMR-32) and mouse myeloma cells. 247 hybridoma clones were harvested and one of them was further cultured for recloning. Eventually, one hybridoma clone was obtained and its antibody was designated N-A8. The characteristics of this antibody were determined by immunostaining and flow cytometry. First, the antibody recognized the surface antigens of IMR-32 cells. Second, unexpectedly, N-A8 was reactive not only with human neuroblastoma cell lines but also with human lung cancer cell lines. As analyzed by immunoprecipitation method and SDS-PAGE, the molecular size of the antigen recognized by N-A8 was 210 kDa. The antigen was then purified by affinity chromatography and identified as neural adhesion molecule L1 by amino acid sequence analysis. By the present investigation, it was clearly demonstrated that L1 is expressed in human lung cancer cells.

Cerebellar infarction with hydrocephalus caused by spontaneous extracranial vertebral artery dissection--case report

A 38-year-old male suffered sudden onset of rotational vertigo without headache. Consciousness disturbance developed on the 3rd day after the onset. Computed tomography showed cerebellar infarction with obstructive hydrocephalus. External ventricular drainage was performed. Angiography showed bilateral extracranial vertebral artery dissection. Antiplatelet therapy was given. Repeat angiography showed improvement of the dissection. His neurological deficits completely resolved. Vertebral artery dissections may cause both lateral medullary or cerebellar infarction and hydrocephalus due to the cerebellar infarction manifesting as various symptoms so careful evaluation and treatment are required.

Isolation and characterization of multiple adenylate cyclase genes from the cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120

Adenylate cyclase genes, designated cyaA, cyaB1, cyaB2, cyaC, and cyaD, were isolated from the filamentous cyanobacterium Anabaena sp. strain PCC 7120 by complementation of a strain of Escherichia coli defective for the presence of cya. These genes encoded polypeptides consisting of 735, 859, 860, 1,155, and 546 amino acid residues, respectively. Deduced amino acid sequences of the regions near the C-terminal ends of these cya genes were similar to those of catalytic domains of eukaryotic adenylate cyclases. The remaining part of each cya gene towards its N-terminal end showed a characteristic structure. CyaA had two putative membrane-spanning regions. Both CyaB1 and CyaB2 had regions that were very similar to the cyclic GMP (cGMP)-binding domain of cGMP-stimulated cGMP phosphodiesterase. CyaC consisted of four distinct domains forming sequentially from the N terminus: a response regulator-like domain, a histidine kinase-like domain, a response regulator-like domain, and the catalytic domain of adenylate cyclase. CyaD contained the forkhead-associated domain in its N-terminal region. Expression of these genes was examined by reverse transcription-PCR. The transcript of cyaC was shown to be predominant in this cyanobacterium. The cellular cyclic AMP level in the disruptant of the cyaC mutant was much lower than that in the wild type.

[A patient with spontaneous intracranial hypotension--comparison between MRI findings and meningeal pathology]

We report a 44-year-old woman with spontaneous intracranial hypotension (SIH) who developed an acute, severe, nonthrobbing headache. The headache remained more severe in the occipital region and was markedly worse with upright posture. Cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) examination revealed an opening pressure of 55 mmH2O, and the CSF contained 38 cells/mm3 and 57 mg/dl of protein. The results of other laboratory examinations were unremarkable. T1-weighted MR images (MRI) of the head revealed an extensive diffuse pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement and bilateral subdural fluid accumulation. On the 21st hospital day, a meningeal biopsy was performed through a right parietal craniotomy. On histologic examination, the dural border cell layer demonstrated nonspecific granulation tissue with mild inflammatory changes. The remaining layers of the dura mater and the arachnoid membrane showed no obvious pathological changes. We speculated that the inflammatory changes of the dural border cell layer correspond to the zone of pachymeningeal gadolinium enhancement of the MRI. The granulation tissue of the dural border cell layer and subdural fluid accumulation may represent secondary reactive phenomena, and were suspected to have been caused by downward displacement of the brain due to decreased intracranial pressure.

Characterization of the novel murine monoclonal anti-von Willebrand factor (vWf) antibody GUR76-23 which inhibits vWf interaction with alpha IIb beta 3 but not alpha v beta 3 integrin

von Willebrand factor (vWf) is known to interact with the two beta 3 integrins, alpha IIb beta 3 and alpha v beta 3, in an RGD-dependent manner. We characterized a novel murine monoclonal antibody to human vWf, GUR76-23, which recognized a site within the carboxy-terminal half of the molecule containing the RGD sequence. This antibody inhibited high shear-induced platelet aggregation and blocked adhesion of ADP plus epinephrine-stimulated platelets to vWf, indicating that it interferes with the interaction with alpha IIb beta 3. Unlike antibodies against the RGD site, however, the antibody was without effect on adhesion of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells to vWf, a phenomenon known to involve the interaction with alpha v beta 3. GUR76-23 binding was not displaced by anti-RGD antibodies. These results suggest that the adhesive interaction of vWf with these two beta 3 integrins may be differentially modulated by a site(s) other than the common RGD module.

Hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy combined with hyperthermia for metastatic liver tumors of colorectal cancer

The efficacy of combined hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy and hyperthermia for unresectable hepatic tumors of colorectal cancer was retrospectively compared with hepatic arterial infusion chemotherapy alone. Nine cases were treated with combination therapy and eight cases were treated with hepatic arterial infusion alone. The response rate in the combined hepatic arterial infusion/hyperthermia group was higher (44% v 25%) and the survival period longer (2-year survival, 35% v 12%) than in the group treated with hepatic arterial infusion alone. The toxicity was not severe, with the exception of gastrointestinal symptoms, suggesting that this combination of modalities is useful in the treatment of metastatic liver tumors.

Role of bacterial adherence and the mucus barrier on bacterial translocation: effects of protein malnutrition and endotoxin in rats

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of the study was to investigate the potential relations between mucosal bacterial adherence, intestinal mucus and mucin content, and bacterial translocation.

SUMMARY BACKGROUND DATA

The attachment of bacteria to mucosal surfaces is the initial event in the pathogenesis of most bacterial infections that originate at mucosal surfaces, such as the gut. The intestinal mucus layer appears to function as a defensive barrier limiting micro-organisms present in the intestinal lumen from colonizing enterocytes. Consequently, studies focusing on the biology of bacterial adherence to the intestinal mucosa likely are to be important in clarifying the pathogenesis of gut origin sepsis.

METHODS

To explore the relations between intestinal bacterial adherence, mucus bacterial binding, and bacterial translocation, two models were used. One (protein malnutrition) in which profound alterations in intestinal morphology occurs in the absence of significant translocation and one (endotoxin challenge) in which bacterial translocation occurs and intestinal morphology is relatively normal.

RESULTS

Protein malnutrition was not associated with bacterial translocation and measurement of enteroadherent, mucosally associated bacterial population levels documented that the total number of gram-negative enteric bacilli adherent to the ileum and cecum was less in the protein-malnourished rats than in the normally nourished animals (p < 0.01). Furthermore, there was an inverse relation between the duration of protein malnutrition and bacterial adherence to the intestinal mucosa (r = 0.62, p < 0.002). In contrast, after endotoxin challenge, the level of enteroadherent bacteria was increased and bacterial translocation was observed. The binding of Escherichia coli to immobilized ileal mucus in vitro was decreased significantly in protein-malnourished rats, whereas E. coli binding to insoluble ileal mucus was increased in the rats receiving endotoxin.

CONCLUSIONS

This study indicates that the adherence of bacteria to the intestinal mucosal surface is an important factor in bacterial translocation, that intestinal mucus modulates bacterial adherence, and that increased levels of mucosally associated bacteria are associated with a loss intestinal barrier function to bacteria.

Interaction of von Willebrand factor with the extracellular matrix and glycocalicin under static conditions

The binding of human von Willebrand factor (vWF) to a variety of extracellular matrix components immobilized on plates and the binding of vWF to platelet glycoprotein Ib (GPIb) after interacting with these matrix components were examined by means of an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. vWF preferably bound to type III collagen, whereas it did not significantly bind to type I, IV, V, or VI collagen, fibronectin, laminin, elastin, or proteoglycans. Soluble type III collagen did not bind to vWF coated on plates and showed a little effect on the vWF binding to the immobilized collagen, suggesting that solid-phase collagen is important for the interaction with vWF. When glycocalicin, the N-terminal carbohydrate-rich extracellular domain of GPIb alpha exhibiting the vWF-binding activity, was added to vWF bound to collagen type III, no significant binding of glycocalicin was observed, but it bound to vWF in the presence of botrocetin, a vWF modulator protein isolated from Bothrops jararaca snake venom. These results indicate that vWF immobilized on collagen can interact with GPIb but that binding of vWF to the collagen matrix alone is insufficient for modulating vWF so that it interacts with GPIb under static conditions. Another unknown physiological modulator functionally mimicking botrocetin or high-shear stress may be involved in the platelet adhesion to extracellular matrix in the early stage of hemostasis.

Usefulness of self made introducer for laryngeal mask airway in paediatric anaesthesia

The usefulness of a self made introducer for laryngeal mask airway (LMA) placement was investigated in 251 paediatric patients. Adequate success rate on the first attempt and atraumatic insertions were achieved by the introducer with minimum experience. The authors concluded that the introducer has significant advantages for easy and safe insertions of the LMA in paediatric anaesthesia.

A novel regulatory epitope defined by a murine monoclonal antibody to the platelet GPIIb-IIIa complex (alpha IIb beta 3 integrin)

We characterized a murine monoclonal antibody, PT25-2 (IgG1), raised against washed human platelets. The antibody and its Fab fragments were both capable of inducing platelet aggregation in a fibrinogen-dependent manner and induced 125I-fibrinogen binding to unstimulated platelets (120,000 molecules/platelet at a 100 nM IgG concentration). The antibody immunoprecipitated the alpha IIb beta 3 complex from lysates of iodinated platelets but did not react with the respective subunits when complex formation was disrupted by treatment with 5 mM EDTA at 37 degrees C for 30 min. However, simply removing the extracellular divalent cation with EDTA had no effect on antibody binding indicating that the antibody's epitope depends upon a conformational structure maintained by alpha beta subunit association. Antibody binding to unstimulated, washed platelets yielded binding parameters (Kd = 40 nM, Bmax = 100,000 molecules/platelet), which were found to be virtually unchanged when binding was performed using thrombin or RGDS-peptide-stimulated platelets. Thus, the PT25-2 antibody defines a novel regulatory epitope expressed by the alpha IIb beta 3 integrin on unstimulated, quiescent platelets.

[Idiopathic intracranial hypotension associated with decreased blood concentration of vitamin A]

We report a case of idiopathic intracranial hypotension, a clinically rare syndrome. A 28-year-old woman was admitted with orthostatic headaches associated with nausea secondary to intracranial hypotension. Lumbar puncture yielded an opening pressure of 4 cmH2O in the lateral recumbent position, and the spinal fluid protein concentration was 56 mg/dl. There was no history of lumbar puncture or clear history of head trauma before the onset of symptoms. Spinal and cranial MRI showed no evidence of CSF leakage, and there was diffuse meningeal enhancement following gadolinium infusion. Cranial MRI showed no evidence of brain displacement due to low CSF pressure, such as tonsillar herniation. Radioisotope cisternography (RIC) showed rapid accumulation of isotope within the bladder and early disappearance of radioactivity from the head. About 2 months later the headaches resolved spontaneously, and repeated lumbar puncture yielded opening pressure elevation to 10.5 cmH2O with a decrease in protein concentration to 28 mg/dl. The abnormal MRI and RIC findings had become normal. On the other hand, the patient had a low blood concentration of vitamin A, which is thought to play some role in the production of CSF. The results of RIC suggested that the patient may have become symptomatic because of undetectable CSF leakage or hyperabsorption, but diminished production of CSF due to lower blood vitamin A concentrations may also have been a factor predisposing to this syndrome.

[The relationship between self-esteem and self-disclosure of negative information]

Although self-disclosure after a negative experience may be good for our adjustment, we also feel hesitant to do so. This study investigated the relationship between self-esteem and hesitancy to disclose negative information about one's self. One hundred and fifty-five undergraduates imagined self-disclosure to a friend of high or low intimacy. They then answered a questionnaire concerning hesitancy to self-disclose negative information to friends, as well as expected negative consequences of such self-disclosure. Main results were: (1) Low intimacy strongly affected the hesitancy. (2) Factor analysis of the negative consequences found three factors: interpersonal and intra-personal negative-effect, and no positive expectation. (3) Hesitancy of high self-esteem students was most affected by the interpersonal factor. Impression management may be the reason. (4) On the other hand, low students tended to feel hurt after negative self-disclosure. Theirs was affected by the intra-personal and no positive expectation factors. Defensiveness may be the reason. The results were discussed from the viewpoint of adjustment when people have had a negative experience.

Effect of photic conditioning on blink reflex recovery function in blepharospasm

Patients with blepharospasm may have selective sensitivity to photic stimuli, for their symptoms are often aggravated after exposure to brightness. To investigate the pathophysiology underlying this phenomenon, we compared the effects of electric and photic conditioning on electrically-evoked blink reflex in 21 patients with blepharospasm and 11 age-matched control subjects. With electric conditioning, R1 was facilitated at inter-stimulus intervals (ISIs) of up to 100 ms in both groups. R2 was inhibited at all ISIs longer than 20 ms in the normals, but to a much lesser extent in the patients, suggesting increased excitability of the multi-synaptic reflex pathway. Compared to electric conditioning, photic conditioning was less potent in inhibiting R2 in the normals. In contrast, photic conditioning in the patients produced R2 inhibition as powerful as electric conditioning. These findings indicate that, in patients with blepharospasm, photic input has a relatively more profound inhibitory effect on the test blink reflex than electric conditioning as compared with normal subjects. The greater susceptibility of the brainstem interneurons to photic conditioning in blepharospasm may be related to the clinically-observed light sensitivity.

Development of porcine blastocysts from in vitro- matured and activated haploid and diploid oocytes

The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental capacity of electro-activated porcine oocytes. Follicular oocytes collected from gilts at local slaughterhouses were matured for 48 h and were then subjected to a single square pulse of direct current for 100 rhojusec at 1,500 V/cm for activation. To obtain activated diploid oocytes, some were treated with 5.0 micro/ml cytochalasin B for 4 h immediately after electro-activation. The frequency of activation ranged from 96 to 100%. While 91% of activated oocytes that had not been treated with cytochalasin B had 2 polar bodies and a nucleus (haploids), 92% of the oocytes treated with cytochalasin B had only the first polar body and 2 nuclei (diploids). Haploids and diploids were further cultured in TCM-199 medium that contained 10% (v/v) heat- treated fetal calf serum (FCS) and 0.1 mg/ml sodium pyruvate (mTCM) or in Whittenk medium plus 0.4% (w/v) bovine serum albumin (BSA). The frequency of abnormal oocytes was significantly higher in mTCM (83%) than in Whitten's medium (65%) 96 h after the electro-activation (P < 0.01), suggesting that Whitten's medium supported the development of activated oocytes beyond the morula stage. In all cases, several oocytes developed to the blastocyst stage 144 h after electro- activation (1 to 12%). The frequency was significantly higher in the case of diploids cultured in Whitten's medium (12%) (P < 0.01) than in the case of haploids cultured in Whitten's medium (4%), or in the case of haploids cultured in mTCM (1%). The mean number of nuclei per blastocyst was significantly lower in mTCM (haploids, 15; diploids, 16.1) than in Whitten's medium (haploids, 35.7; diploids, 40.1; P < 0.01), suggesting that the number of nuclei in blastocysts was affected by the culture medium.