Cardiac resonant oscillations in terms of finite-dimensional group representation in atrial parasystole

In order to understand the variation of the atrial parasystolic cycle lengths and mutual interactions of sinus node and atrial parasystolic pacemakers, a representation theory for finite groups of invertible linear transformation on a vector space is considered. A quantitative description of manifest atrial parasystolic cycles can be provided by the mapping in the group multiplication with the use of numerical factors of 2, 4 square root of 2 pi, 2/ 4 square root of 2 pi and 2 4 square root of 2 pi. These represent operators of a linear transformation in matrix multiplication of the similarity transformation representing an isomorphism.

Molecular cloning of the complementary DNA for the mouse pyruvate kinase M-2 gene whose expression is dependent upon cell differentiation

A cDNA encoding M2-type pyruvate kinase from mouse was cloned and its nucleotide sequence was determined. The cDNA encoded a protein containing 531 amino acids, the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of which were 93.2% and 98.1%, respectively, homologous to those of rat M2 pyruvate kinase. Expression of the pyruvate kinase in mouse embryonal carcinoma P19 cells altered according to differentiation stages; high at undifferentiated and low at differentiated stages.

Expression of epidermal growth factor receptor messenger RNA in human colorectal carcinomas assessed by non-radioactive in-situ hybridization

No consensus as to the involvement of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGF-R) in colorectal carcinomas has yet been attained, although they are assumed to play a role in the metastasis to lymph nodes and recurrence of breast carcinoma and bladder carcinoma invasion. Knowing that Dukes' classification of colorectal carcinoma is closely related to prognosis, we examined whether there is a correlation between Dukes' classification and the expression of EGF-R in colorectal carcinoma. If there is a positive correlation, the involvement of EGF-R in the processes may be assumed and the expression of EGF-R may be used as a marker of their prognosis. To this end, the expression of EGF-R mRNA and protein by non-radioactive in-situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry, respectively, were determined on histological preparations of formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded colorectal surgical specimens. In 30 cases of colorectal carcinoma examined, mRNA and/or protein was detected in 33% (two of six) of Dukes' A, in 40% (four of 10) of Dukes' B, in 36% (four of 11) of Dukes' C, in 33% (one of three) of Dukes' D and in 0% of normal colon epithelial cells. Thus, there was no positive correlation between the Dukes' classification and the expression of EGF-R. It is concluded that the expression of EGF-R in colorectal carcinoma is not a promising marker of prognosis. However, the role of EGF-R in EGF-R positive tumours remains to be examined.

Facilitatory effect of thinking about movement on motor-evoked potentials to transcranial magnetic stimulation of the brain

Two experiments using transcranial magnetic stimulation (TMS) were undertaken to investigate facilitatory effects of thinking about a specific movement without voluntary discharges on motor-evoked potentials (MEP). First, surface electromyographic (EMG) responses from the abductor pollicis brevis were recorded with maximal stimulator output in the three conditions: the muscle being at rest, contracting with 10% of maximal muscle activity, and with the subject "only thinking" about thumb abduction (nine subjects). Median value of MEP amplitudes during "only thinking" was twice that at rest (P = 0.008) and one-half that during voluntary contraction (P = 0.008). Second, needle EMG responses from the first dorsal interosseus were compared at rest, during thinking about index finger abduction, and during TMS at threshold intensity. Four normal subjects were tested with stimulation of each cerebral hemisphere for a total of eight tests. The number of detectable MEP responses of 20 stimuli to one hemisphere was counted for each condition of rest or thinking. The mean MEP response rate during thinking (58%) was higher than that at rest (12%) (P < 0.005). These results demonstrate that thinking about a specific movement has facilitatory effects on MEP and that the degree of facilitation in thinking is smaller than in voluntary contraction.

Characterization of mitogenic substances in the hot water extracts of bupleuri radix

Bupleuri Radix is a commonly used medicinal plant in Kampo medicine, and its hot water extracts show mitogenic activity to murine lymphocytes. In this paper the mitogenic substances in the hot water extracts of Bupleuri Radix (Bup-HWE) were fractionated and characterized physicochemically and immunologically. Most of these substances were recovered from mol. wt of more than 200 kDA fraction (fr. C-13). Separation of fr. C-13 by phenol-water fractionation method gave water soluble and phenol soluble mitogenic substances. These substances showed the activity even in C3H/HeJ mice, and polymyxin B or lysozyme treatment did not abrogate the activity, suggesting that the active substances are not related to bacterial lipopolysaccharide. Treatment of the mitogenic substances recovered from the phenol layer with NaCLO2, a polyphenol degrading chemical, significantly reduced the activity, but pronase and pectinase treatments were not effective. The mitogenic substances in the water layer were active even after NaCLO2 treatment. These findings suggested that the mitogenic substances of Bup-HWE are large molecular weight polyphenolic compounds and polysaccharide. The mitogenic substances are suggested to be B cell mitogens.

Fibrinolytic abnormalities following liver transplantation in patients with fulminant hepatic failure

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate the fibrinolytic system after liver transplantation in patients with fulminant hepatic failure.

DESIGN

Seven patients were studied prior to, and for 4 days after, liver transplantation.

METHODS

Both activators and inhibitors of the fibrinolytic system were investigated in seven patients with fulminant hepatic failure who underwent liver transplantation.

RESULTS

alpha 2-antiplasmin and C1-inhibitor levels increased rapidly after transplantation (81 and 53% of normal on day 1; 106 and 99% on day 2, respectively). Plasminogen levels remained low throughout the 4-day study period. Plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 was higher than normal before transplantation (21.0 compared with 7.4 U/ml) and increased further on the first day after operation (37.5 U/ml; P < 0.05 versus pre-transplantation). Tissue plasminogen activator levels remained normal (pre-operative, 7.0 IU/ml; Day 4, 0.2 IU/ml). D-dimer remained elevated during the postoperative period showing increased fibrinolytic activity. Thrombin-antithrombin III complex was also elevated during the study period. Antithrombin III was greatly reduced prior to transplantation (13.7% of normal) and plasma levels were less than 50% of normal values during the study.

CONCLUSIONS

Measures of fibrinolytic activity are raised after liver transplantation in patients with fulminant hepatic failure. This is probably due to increased fibrin formation caused by a coexisting hypercoagulable state.

Successful canine bilateral single-lung transplantation after 21-hour lung preservation

A canine bilateral single-lung transplantation model was used to evaluate 21-hour lung preservation with low-potassium dextran glucose solution. Donor lungs were flushed with low-potassium dextran glucose solution (50 mL/kg), inflated with 100% oxygen (35 mL/kg), and preserved at 8 degrees C. Bilateral single-lung transplantation was performed without using cardiopulmonary bypass. The ischemic times to the right and left lungs were designed to be 3 and 6 hours, respectively, in group 1 (n = 5) and 18 and 21 hours in group 2 (n = 6). After bilateral single-lung transplantation, animals were maintained on a ventilator for 12 hours and lung function, including arterial blood gas and pulmonary hemodynamics, was measured. All 5 dogs in group 1 and 5 of 6 dogs in group 2 completed bilateral single-lung transplantation successfully and survived for 12 hours with excellent lung function. Arterial oxygen tension and mean pulmonary artery pressure were stable during the 12-hour assessment period in both groups and did not differ significantly from donor values. Twelve hours after reperfusion, mean arterial oxygen tension (inspired oxygen fraction = 1.0) was 590 +/- 18 mm Hg in group 1 and 604 +/- 8 mm Hg in group 2. After the 12-hour assessment period, the animals were extubated and immunosuppressed. Two dogs in group 2 survived for 7 and 8 days, respectively, with a mean arterial oxygen tension of 74 mm Hg on room air at 5 days.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method: comparison with labeled streptavidin-biotin method, avidin-biotin-peroxidase complex method, and peroxidase-antiperoxidase method

A new, extremely sensitive, "multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method" is introduced. This method utilizes peroxidase-labeled antibodies that immuno-react with their antigen, but also can be an antigen to other peroxidase-labeled antibodies. An example of this method is: use rabbit IgG as the first antibody, peroxidase-labeled goat antirabbit IgG as the second antibody, peroxidase-labeled rabbit antigoat IgG as the third antibody, peroxidase-labeled goat antirabbit IgG as the fourth antibody, and peroxidase-labeled rabbit antigoat IgG as the fifth antibody in succession. We compared the sensitivities of this multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method with that of commercially available immuno-peroxidase staining kits, i.e., avidin-biotin-complex method and peroxidase-antiperoxidase method, both by immunostaining and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The generated signal and background in immunostained sections were determined by a computer-assisted image analyzer and by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay spectrophotometrically. It was found that a maximum signal/background ratio was obtained with those sections reacted with the first four antibodies in succession by the multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method, and those reacted with the five antibodies in succession by the multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method in the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Thus, the multilayer peroxidase-labeled antibody method is more sensitive than the avidin-biotin-complex method and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase method.

Vitellogenin gene of the silkworm, Bombyx mori: structure and sex-dependent expression

Vitellogenin of Bombyx mori is a precursor of major yolk protein synthesized in the female fat body at larval-pupal ecdysis. The gene for B. mori vitellogenin is composed of seven exons interspersed by six introns. Developmental profile of the primary transcript of the gene indicated that the biosynthesis of B. mori vitellogenin is regulated transcriptionally in a sex- and stage-dependent manner in the fat body. The Arg-X-Arg-Arg sequence, which conforms to the recognition site of mammalian furin, occurs in a region just upstream of the putative proteolytic cleavage site of B. mori previtellogenin.

Molecular cloning and sequencing of cDNA that encodes cysteine proteinase in the eggs of the silkmoth, Bombyx mori

We have isolated and sequenced a 1,486-base-pair near full-length cDNA coding for Bombyx egg cysteine proteinase. The cDNA encodes 344 amino acid residues containing a typical signal peptide sequence (16 residues), pro-peptide (104 residues), and the sequence for mature enzyme (224 residues). Sequence alignments show that the egg cysteine proteinase is similar to lobster cysteine proteinase (61% identity), barley cysteine proteinase, Aleurain (52%), rice cysteine proteinase, Oryzain (54%), and rat cathepsin L (59%). The amino-terminal sequencing of the egg cysteine proteinase indicates that the enzyme purified as an inactive form from eggs is a pro-enzyme. Pro-egg cysteine proteinase was detected in other silkmoth tissues such as ovary, fat body, hemocyte, and hemolymph by immunoblotting.

The effect of interleukin-2 on the release of gonadotropin and prolactin in vivo and in vitro

To evaluate a possible physiological role of Interleukin-2 (IL-2) in the control of Luteinizing hormone (LH), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) and Prolactin (PRL) release, conscious, ovariectomized (OVX) rats were given injections of IL-2 into the third ventricle. The third ventricular injection of IL-2 induced a significant decrease in plasma LH levels when compared to values in control animals (P < 0.05). Plasma LH concentrations were significantly decreased within 5 min after the injection of IL-2 and remained decreased for 1 h. In contrast, injections of IL-2 had no effect on plasma FSH or PRL levels. To evaluate a possible direct action of IL-2 on LH, FSH and PRL release from the anterior pituitary gland, the cytokine was incubated with dispersed anterior pituitary cells for 4 h. IL-2 in the dose range between 10(-1) and 10(-3) unit stimulated the release of LH and FSH into the culture medium (P < 0.05, P < 0.025 vs. control, respectively). The release of PRL from incubated anterior pituitary cells was not affected at any dose of IL-2 tested. These results indicate that IL-2 possibly plays an inhibitory role in the control of gonadotropin secretion, via hypothalamic action, although it acts directly to stimulate the release of the gonadotropins at the level of the anterior pituitary gland.

Decreased beta-amyloid and increased abnormal Tau deposition in the brain of aged patients with leprosy

We examined the brains of 37 leprosy patients (mean age, 76.3 +/- 7.8 years), 5 patients with Alzheimer-type dementia (mean age, 79.0 +/- 9.5 years), and 23 age-matched non-dementia controls (mean age, 77.6 +/- 5.4 years). The frequency of beta-amyloid (A beta)-positive cases was lower (27.0%) in leprosy patients (n = 37) than in controls (47.8%; P = 0.05, Z = 1.49). When senile plaque subtypes were examined, type III (classical) plaques were significantly fewer (P < 0.05) in leprosy subjects compared with controls. Interestingly, neurofibrillary tangles in the temporal cortex were much more frequent in leprosy patients than in controls (P < 0.05). However, hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons in leprosy patients were well preserved. These data indicate that 1) leprosy patients have a low risk of A beta deposition but a high risk of abnormal tau deposition, 2) abnormal tau deposition is unrelated to A beta deposition in leprosy, and 3) neuronal loss is unrelated to abnormal tau deposition. It is not clear at present whether the result is related to the disease process itself, antileprosy treatment, environmental factors, or the genetic background in leprosy patients.

A defective non-LTR retrotransposon is dispersed throughout the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

The presence of long repetitive sequences is demonstrated in the genome of the silkworm, Bombyx mori. Members of this BMC1 family reveal several features typical of the L1 (long interspersed sequence one) family of mammals, except for species specific elements. The number of BMC1 elements is estimated to be approximately 3500 per haploid genome. Elements containing the full length unit of 5.1 kb are dispersed throughout the genome and their restriction sites are conserved, although most members are preferentially truncated to varying extents at their 5' ends. DNA sequencing indicates that this element contains six tandem repeats of 15 bp CpG-rich sequence in the 5' proximal region. It terminates with a 3' oligo(A) stretch, and is flanked at both ends by a 7-10 bp target sequence duplication. In addition, there is significant evidence for amino acid sequence homology with reverse transcriptase domains of other L1 families, especially F, Doc and Jockey of Drosophila melanogaster. No large open reading frame is present. The BMC1 element is suggested to be dispersed in the genome by a transposition mechanism involving RNA intermediates.

Introduction of oxygenated functional groups into 3-carene and 2-pinene by cultured cells

The biotransformation of the monoterpene hydrocarbons 3-carene and 2-pinene by cell suspension cultures of Nicotiana tabacum and Catharanthus roseus was investigated. The cultures have the ability to regio- and enantioselectively introduce the oxygenated functional groups into the C = C double bond and the allylic positions of the substrates.

Hepatocyte growth factor and plasminogen activation in fulminant hepatic failure

Human hepatocyte growth factor (hHGF) has considerable sequence homology with plasminogen and both proteins can be activated by plasminogen activators. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between plasma hHGF and fibrinolysis in patients with fulminant hepatic failure (FHF), in whom proteases of coagulation are known to be activated and hHGF levels have been shown to be raised as a consequence of hepatic regeneration. Serum hHGF measured by ELISA was increased in FHF (median 6.67 ng/ml, range 1.2-62 ng/ml), but the values did not correlate with the decreased plasminogen level (median 9%., range 0.7-35.5%) or the level of t-PA which was normal. There was a significant correlation between serum hHGF and increased plasma D-dimer (median 2,163 microgram/l, range 39-7 311 microgram/l), produced by the action of plasmin on fibrin and increased plasma thrombin-antithrombin III complexes (TAT, median 31.7 microgram/l, range 3.7-105 microgram/l). These relationship could be indicative of an involvement of blood coagulation, possibly a specific serine protease, in hHGF activity. After liver transplantation, plasma hHGF was rapidly cleared to almost normal levels, whereas D-dimer and TAT continued to be at elevated levels.

Effect of GnRH antagonists on phorbol ester-induced LH release from rat pituitary gonadotrophs

We previously reported that a blockade of GnRH receptor activation inhibited the already-initiated C-kinase pathway(s). We tried to investigate whether this finding is a general phenomenon or not. In this study, we employed three GnRH antagonists, [D-Phe2,Pro3,D-Phe6]-GnRH, [Ac-D-Nal-Ala1,D-pCl-Phe2,D-Ser(Rha)6]-GnRH, and [Ac-D-p-Cl-Phe1,2,D-Trp3,D-Lys6,D-Ala10]-GnRH (referred to as #1-, #2-, #3-GnRH antag., respectively). Each antagonist was examined for its potency against GnRH by analyzing its inhibitory effect on LH release from pituitary gonadotrophs as well as on the increase in the cytosolic Ca2+ concentration. As a result, the #1-GnRH antag. was found to be weaker than the other two compounds. Consistent with a previous study, the #3-GnRH antag. inhibited the action of TPA on LH release. However, independently of their potency as GnRH-antagonists, the two other antagonists had no inhibitory effect on TPA-induced LH release. While it is generally accepted that the C kinase pathway plays a major role in the GnRH-induced LH release, not all GnRH antagonists can inhibit LH release by blocking the already-activated C kinase system.

Extent of the acute phase response in fulminant hepatic failure

The extent of the acute phase response and the relation between acute phase proteins and cytokines in plasma was investigated in 50 patients with fulminant hepatic failure. On admission, C reactive protein was significantly higher in fulminant hepatic failure (median: 12.4 micrograms/ml, range:0.2-112 micrograms/ml) than in 20 controls (median: 0.8 microgram/ml, range: 0.3-2.9 micrograms/ml, p < 0.001). Serial measurements showed that plasma C reactive protein increased daily after admission until day 5, the end of the study period. alpha 1-Antitrypsin (AAT) (median: 69.1%, range: 27.5-124%) and fibrinogen (median: 1.10 g/l, range: 0-2.82 g/l) were significantly lower in fulminant hepatic failure on admission than in controls (AAT: median: 126%, range: 75.4-149%; fibrinogen: median 2.48 g/l, range: 1.82-3.39 g/l, p < 0.001) and did not change subsequently. Both AAT and fibrinogen were maintained at significantly higher concentrations in survivors than in those who did not. Bacterial infection occurred in 23 patients during the course of fulminant hepatic failure, but did not influence the concentrations of these three proteins. Interleukin 6 was significantly higher in fulminant hepatic failure (median: 21.2 pg/ml, range: 0-871 pg/ml) than in controls (median: 2.4 pg/ml, range: 1.5-8.2 pg/ml, p < 0.001). There was a significant correlation between interleukin 6 and the C reactive protein concentrations in patients with viral hepatitis on admission and in all patients 48 hours later, consistent with other evidence that interleukin 6 stimulates synthesis of this acute phase protein.

Phasic venous return abnormality in chronic pulmonary diseases: pulsed Doppler echocardiography study

Features of venous return in chronic pulmonary diseases and factors determining such features were studied by analysis of respiration-related variation in the superior vena cava flow on pulsed Doppler echocardiography. Subjects of this study were 85 patients with chronic pulmonary diseases; 54 healthy subjects served as normal controls. In the healthy subjects, the velocity of the S and D waves increased during inspiration (type I pattern), and the velocity of the A wave increased during expiration. In the patients with pulmonary diseases, the pattern of the superior vena cava flow was either type I or type II (disappearance of the D wave or disappearance of both the D and S waves). The incidence of the type II pattern was significantly higher in the patients showing a reduction of both FEV1.0% and % VC. The respiration-related variation in the superior vena cava flow pattern was found to be determined by the pressure fall between right atrium and subclavian vein. A type II pattern was attributed to the elevation of right atrial pressure caused by positive pleural pressure. The velocity of the A wave increased during expiration, showing a good correlation with pulmonary vascular resistance. Venous return in the presence of chronic pulmonary disease was found to be affected by the type of ventilatory disturbance and intensity of pulmonary vascular resistance.

Structure and expression of mRNA for vitellogenin in Bombyx mori

Vitellogenin, a precursor of major yolk protein of the silkworm, Bombyx mori is a tetramer composed of each two molecules of heavy and light subunits. We cloned mRNA sequence for the B. mori vitellogenin and analyzed its structure. Sequence alignment of several overlapping cDNA clones indicated that the vitellogenin mRNA is approx. 5.7 kb, containing an open reading frame for a peptide with 1782 amino acid residues. By comparing the deduced amino acid sequence with the amino-terminal primary structures of vitellogenin subunits, it is suggested that the heavy and light subunits of the B. mori vitellogenin are encoded by a single contiguous mRNA. The primary translation product of the vitellogenin mRNA was detected in the microsomal fraction prepared from the fat body of vitellogenic females. Northern blot analysis of the fat body RNA demonstrated that the biosynthesis of vitellogenin in B. mori is regulated in a tissue-, sex- and stage-specific manner at the level of mRNA. Possible cause for discrepancy between the present results and our previous proposal (Izumi, S. and Tomino, S. (1983) Insect Biochem. 13, 81-85) on the biosynthesis of B. mori vitellogenin is also discussed.

Structure and developmental expression of a larval cuticle protein gene of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

Structure and expression of the gene for a larval cuticle protein of the silkworm, Bombyx mori were studied. A major cuticle protein, termed 'LCP30' was purified from the urea extract of integuments of the fifth (final) instar larvae. Immunoblot analysis by use of the anti-LCP30 antibody revealed that LCP30 begins to accumulate in larvae as early as 10 h after hatch and is present throughout the larval stages. The LCP30 epitope is also detectable in the adult abdominal integument but is absent from pupal integument and adult wing. Screening of an epidermal cDNA expression library with the antibody probe yielded a cDNA clone for LCP30. Primary structure deduced from the cDNA sequence showed that LCP30 bears an arginine-glycine-aspartate (RGD) sequence. The region around this domain exhibits striking similarity with the amino acid sequences found in vertebrate collagens. The genomic DNA clone coding for LCP30 was isolated by screening a B. mori gene library with the LCP30 cDNA probe. The gene consists of five exons interspersed by four introns spanning over 2.7 kb region of chromosomal DNA. The LCP30 mRNA is detectable at high levels at larval intermolt stages, gradually declines after the fourth molt and totally disappears at mid-fifth larval instar, indicating that the expression of LCP30 gene is regulated in a stage-specific fashion in the epidermal cells. Topical application of a juvenile hormone analogue (methoprene) to the fifth instar larvae followed by RNA blot and S1 nuclease mapping analyses of the epidermal RNA proved that juvenile hormone activates transcription of the LCP30 gene.

Cancer incidence in atomic bomb survivors. Part III. Leukemia, lymphoma and multiple myeloma, 1950-1987

This paper presents an analysis of data on the incidence of leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma in the Life Span Study cohort of atomic bomb survivors during the period from late 1950 through the end of 1987 (93,696 survivors accounting for 2,778,000 person-years). These analyses add 9 additional years of follow-up for leukemia and 12 for myeloma to that in the last comprehensive reports on these diseases. This is the first analysis of the lymphoma incidence data in the cohort. Using both the Leukemia Registry and the Hiroshima and Nagasaki tumor registries, a total of 290 leukemia, 229 lymphoma and 73 myeloma cases were identified. The primary analyses were restricted to first primary tumors diagnosed among residents of the cities or surrounding areas with Dosimetry System 1986 dose estimates between 0 and 4 Gy kerma (231 leukemias, 208 lymphomas and 62 myelomas). Analyses focused on time-dependent models for the excess absolute risk. Separate analyses were carried out for acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL), acute myelogenous leukemia (AML), chronic myelocytic leukemia (CML) and adult T-cell leukemia (ATL). There were few cases of chronic lymphocytic leukemia in this population. There was strong evidence of radiation-induced risks for all subtypes except ATL, and there were significant subtype differences with respect to the effects of age at exposure and sex and in the temporal pattern of risk. The AML dose-response function was nonlinear, whereas there was no evidence against linearity for the other subtypes. When averaged over the follow-up period, the excess absolute risk (EAR) estimates (in cases per 10(4) PY Sv) for the leukemia subtypes were 0.6, 1.1 and 0.9 for ALL, AML and CML, respectively. The corresponding estimated average excess relative risks at 1 Sv are 9.1, 3.3 and 6.2 respectively. There was some evidence of an increased risk of lymphoma in males (EAR = 0.6 cases per 10(4) PY Sv) but no evidence of any excess in females. There was no evidence of an excess risk for multiple myeloma in our standard analyses.