Evidence supporting an association between the DRB1 gene and schizophrenia in Japanese

The authors attempted a replication of earlier studies that detected an association of HLA-DR4 and DR1 with schizophrenia. Japanese patients with schizophrenia (n = 266, DSM-III-R criteria) and Japanese controls (n = 283) were genotyped for DR1 and DR4 alleles using a combination of group-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism. Significant positive association with HLA-DR1 [odds ratio (OR) = 1.87, corrected p = 0.04] and a negative association with HLA-DR4 (OR = 0.63, corrected p = 0.02) was noted. DR1 and DR4 were independently associated with schizophrenia. The association of the DR1-positive/DR4-negative genotype with schizophrenia was modest (OR = 2.60, 95% confidence intervals = 1.38-4.89, corrected p = 0.008). Thus, these findings support an association of the HLA DRB1 gene locus with schizophrenia in the Japanese population. Since both DR4 and DR1 are positively associated with rheumatoid arthritis, our findings are not simply consistent with the known negative association between schizophrenia and rheumatoid arthritis.

[Relationship between dietary fiber intake and food intake patterns of the general population, evaluated by a regional nutrition survey]

This study was performed to estimate the dietary fiber intake calculated using individual food intake data and the dietary fiber tables, and to ascertain the relationship between food intake patterns and dietary fiber intake of the general population. The 805 subjects over 15 years old were obtained from the Tottori Prefecture Nutrition Survey. The results are summarized as follows: 1. The average dietary fiber intake per capita per day was 18.19 g; 18.67 g in men, and 17.81 g in women. Dietary fiber intake per energy was different among sexes and ages: women had more dietary fiber than men and the aged had more than the young. Those who had high fiber intake per energy took green vegetables, fruits, milk, soybean products, seaweed and potatoes more frequently, and did not take oil so frequently. 2. Total dietary fiber intake from 20 food-group sources was analyzed by Multiple Regression Analysis. For both men and women fruits, vegetables and soybean products mostly influenced dietary fiber intake. 3. Based on the intake of the 20 food-groups obtained from 356 men and 449 women, the correlation matrix among these foods was calculated. The correlation matrix was also submitted to a Principal Component Analysis. The result of the Principal Component Analysis told that food intake patterns were different among the levels of dietary fiber intake. Food intake patterns of men and women who had high fiber intake per energy had an eating pattern characterized by relatively more non-processed vegetable food, bread and milk. 4. The level of blood pressure was significantly related to dietary fiber intake per energy in men over 60 years old. In the hypertensive men over 60 years old, 23.3% were in the low fiber intake group, 37.2% in the middle group, and 39.5% in the high group. But in the normal blood pressure men over 60 years old, 50.0% were in the low fiber intake group, 8.3% in the middle group, and 41.7% in the high group.

An unusual course of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy in a patient with idiopathic CD4+ T lymphocytopenia

A case is reported of idiopathic CD4+T lymphocytopenia with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy and cervical lymph node tuberculosis. A 57 year old Japanese man presented with cervical lymphadenopathy and progressive neurological deficits, and six months later he developed akinetic mutism. He had a persistent severely depressed number of circulating CD4+T lymphocytes in the absence of human immunodeficiency virus infection. T1 weighted MRI showed a diffuse decreased signal intensity limited to the white matter without mass effect. A brain biopsy specimen had a morphology similar to that of progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy. Polyomavirus antigen was detected in the brain lesion, and viral DNA was identified in nucleated blood cells and urine. Unusually this serious medical condition has lasted for more than three years without remission. To our knowledge this is the first patient with CD4+T lymphocytopenia with progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy, suggesting that similar opportunistic infections should be considered even in previously normal people.

Antibacterial activity of bovine lactoferrin and its peptides against enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7

The antimicrobial activities of bovine lactoferrin (bLF), its pepsin hydrolysate (bLFH) and the active peptide lactoferricin B (LFcinB) against four clinical isolates of enterohaemorrhagic Escherichia coli O157:H7 were studied. The MICs against these isolates were 3 mg ml-1 for bLF, 0.1-0.2 mg ml-1 for bLFH and 8-10 micrograms ml-1 for LFcinB in 1% Bactopeptone broth. LFcinB killed these bacteria within 3 h at concentrations above 10 micrograms ml-1. Transmission electron microscopy findings suggested that LFcinB acts on the bacterial surface and affects cytoplasmic contents. LFcinB was shown to influence the levels of verotoxins in the culture supernatant fluid of an E. coli O157:H7 strain. These results demonstrate that E. coli O157:H7 strains are susceptible to the antimicrobial effects of bLF and its peptides.

Differential localization of mRNAs for mammalian trps, presumptive capacitative calcium entry channels, in the adult mouse brain

Mammalian homologues for Drosophila trp are likely to be candidates for capacitative calcium entry channels. By in situ hybridization histochemistry, we have demonstrated that the mRNAs for four species of the mouse homologues (Mtrps-1, -3, -4, -6) were differentially expressed in the adult mouse brain. Mtrp-1 mRNA was expressed widely throughout the gray matters, while the expression for Mtrp-3 was dominant in the cerebellar Purkinje cells, the olfactory mitral cells and the striatal large-sized intrinsic neurons. Mtrp-4 mRNA was evident in the olfactory bulb, the septum, the hippocampal neuronal layers, and the cerebellar granule cell layer, while the expression for Mtrp-6 was rather confined to the dentate granule cell layer. Their differential localization suggests that the individual homologues exert their functions in region-specific and neuron-specific manners in the calcium signaling.

Amino-reductones. Formation mechanisms and structural characteristics

Various types of amino-reductones are known to be involved in process-induced chemical changes in foods. Since most amino-reductones, especially enaminol compounds are unstable reaction intermediates and are difficult to isolate, their structural characteristics are still unclear. In order to obtain more precise structural information about amino-reductones, the structures of the enaminol form of fructoseglysine (D-fructoseglycine = FG) and scorbamic acid (L-scorbamic acid = SCA), a relatively stable cyclic enaminol compound were examined by the use of a semi-empirical molecular orbital method. Optimized structures, heat of formations and charge distributions of various enol forms of FG were obtained. Heat of formations of the non-dissociated, mono-anion, and di-anion forms of FG were estimated to be about -302, -347 and -308 kcal/mol, respectively. Optimized structures of non-dissociated, anion, and dipolar ion forms of SCA were also obtained and their heat of formations were estimated to be about -197, -204 and -248 kcal/mol, respectively. The nitrogen atom of the enaminol group in the SCA molecule was found to be positively charged.

NMDA receptor activation enhances the release of a cholinergic differentiation peptide (HCNP) from hippocampal neurons in vitro

Hippocampal cholinergic neurostimulating peptide (HCNP) is a novel undecapeptide purified from the hippocampus of young rats. The peptide stimulates cholinergic phenotype development in the rat medial septal nucleus in vitro. Here, we have focused on the mechanism of release of the peptide from the hippocampus, by applying tissue culture techniques. Quantitation of HCNP in the culture supernatant after chemical stimulation was carried out by RIA, and by a combination of HPLC and RIA. We found that the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor specifically mediates release of the deacetylated form of HCNP from the culture. Our results suggest that during the early development of hippocampal neurons, the peptide is released by NMDA receptor activation, and that it may be involved in mediating the effect of activity-dependent cues on developing septal cholinergic neurons.

Idiopathic scoliosis in twins studied by DNA fingerprinting

We investigated 21 pairs of twins for zygosity and idiopathic scoliosis. DNA fingerprinting confirmed that 13 pairs were monozygotic and eight were dizygotic. There was concordance for idiopathic scoliosis in 92.3% of monozygotic and 62.5% of dizygotic twins.

Of the 12 pairs of monozygotic twins concordant for idiopathic scoliosis, six showed discordant curve patterns but eight had differences in Cobb angle of less than 10°. Seven of the ten pairs of monozygotic twins had similar back shapes.

Our findings suggest that there is a genetic factor in the aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis; they also indicate that there is a genetic factor in both the severity of the curve and the general shape of the back.

Idiopathic scoliosis in twins studied by DNA fingerprinting: the incidence and type of scoliosis

We investigated 21 pairs of twins for zygosity and idiopathic scoliosis. DNA fingerprinting confirmed that 13 pairs were monozygotic and eight were dizygotic. There was concordance for idiopathic scoliosis in 92.3% of monozygotic and 62.5% of dizygotic twins. Of the 12 pairs of monozygotic twins concordant for idiopathic scoliosis, six showed discordant curve patterns but eight had differences in Cobb angle of less than 10 degrees. Seven of the ten pairs of monozygotic twins had similar back shapes. Our findings suggest that there is a genetic factor in the aetiology of idiopathic scoliosis; they also indicate that there is a genetic factor in both the severity of the curve and the general shape of the back.

Anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin oxime against Trichuris vulpis in dogs

The anthelmintic efficacy of milbemycin oxime against dog whipworm, Trichuris vulpis, was evaluated. A total of 21 T. vulpis positive dogs were divided into 3 groups, one (5 dogs) for control and the other two (8 dogs each) for anthelmintic treatment with oral administration of milbemycin oxime.

Development of a health promotion system for the elderly: Committee of Health Evaluation for Elderly Persons Council of Japan AMHTS Institutions

A new health promotion approach for elderly persons is required which maintains not only their physical health but also their quality of life. We are developing a health promotion system which makes use of questionnaires dealing with physical conditions and quality of life, and makes health reports. Health evaluation is carried out in three steps. First, detailed information about the physical health of each client is collected. Second, quality of life is evaluated according to five health indicators. Last, health recommendations are generated. An artificial intelligence (AI) program produces detailed questions to collect necessary information for the evaluation of a client's health. The information related to quality of life is converted into five health indicators and presented as a radar-chart in documents and displays. The knowledge-based AI program automatically generates the health recommendation documents. This information is available for physicians and nurses for health counseling.

An association study between a transcriptional polymorphism in the serotonin transporter gene and panic disorder in a Japanese population

A polymorphism in the 5' region of the serotonin transporter gene modulates its transcription efficiency. Its short allele has been reported to be associated with neurotic traits. The serotonin transporter is the action site of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors, widely used in the treatment of panic disorder. We examined an association between the polymorphism and panic disorder in a case-control study consisting of 66 Japanese patients and 150 controls. The short allele was significantly more frequent in the Japanese than in Caucasians. The patients and the controls had similar allele frequencies, indicating no association between the polymorphism and panic disorder in most Japanese patients.

Chronic effects of methylmercury in rats. II. Pathological aspects

Chronic effects of methylmercury (MeHg) were examined pathologically in male Wistar rats fed on diet containing 0, 1 or 5 ppm Hg (as MeHg) for two years. Organs including the central nervous tissues were examined histopathologically using hematoxylin and eosin (H & E), Klüver-Barrera (KB), PAS or phenol-congo red stains. The peripheral nerve system tissues were also examined, using H & E and trichrome stains. Furthermore, immunoglobulins of renal specimens were demonstrated by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. Localization of mercury in the paraffin-embedded sections of the nervous tissue, kidney, liver, pancreas, spleen and testis was demonstrable by the photoemulsion histochemical method. In the 5 ppm group, mercury was readily detectable in tissues of the rats exposed for one year, one and half years, two years and two and half years. Mercury was detected in the cells of the brain such as neurons, neuroglial cells, and phagocytes, and also in most organs, particularly in the epithelium of renal tubules, liver cells, myocardium, in the macrophages of pancreas, spleen and testis. In the 1 ppm group, mercury was detectable in the epithelium of renal tubules and liver cells. Fibrosis of the glomeruli was found in the rat group given a high dose of methylmercury with all experimental methods. Granular IgG, IgM and C3 deposits were demonstrated in the glomeruli by direct immunofluorescence microscopy. The etiology of the pathological changes of glomeruli was suspected to be autoimmune glomerulopathy due to inorganic mercury filtration for a long time. It was difficult to determine the clinical signs and symptoms and pathological changes in the nervous system in spite of the deposition of mercury in the brain.

[The role of nitric oxide in two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertensive rats]

The relationship between blood pressure(BP) and nitric oxide(NO) in two-kidney, one-clip renovascular hypertensive rats (2K1C) was investigated. Although urinary NO2- + NO3-(NOx) excretion (UNOX V) increased 2 weeks after surgery (2W-2K1C), UNOX V decreased 4 weeks after surgery (4W-2K1C) compared with that of the control. UNOX V levels were restored 2 weeks after unclipping (U2K1C). BP and UNOX V did not change in 2K1C after treatment with L-arginine (Arg-2K1C). Aorta from 4W-2K1C and Arg-2K1C showed significantly decreased relaxation responses to acetylcholine(Ach), but Ach-induced relaxation of aorta in U2K1C returned to control-level responses. De-endothelialized aorta from 4W-2K1C, Arg-2K1C, and U2K1C had significantly decreased relaxation responses to lipopolysaccharide. These data suggest that: (1) transient increase of NO synthesis is accompanied by elevation of BP, but long-term elevation of BP decreases NO synthesis in endothelium and smooth muscle cells: (2) L-arginine supplement has no effect on the development of hypertension and on NO production by endothelium and smooth muscle cells in 2K1C.

Purification and characterization of hepatic inorganic pyrophosphatase hydrolyzing imidodiphosphate

A 56-kDa inorganic pyrophosphatase consisting of 33-kDa subunits was purified from bovine liver almost to homogeneity. This hydrolase required divalent cations such as MgCl2, CoCl2, and MnCl2 to hydrolyze PPi and was insensitive to 2 mM sodium fluoride. The purified hydrolase released 2.1 mumol Pi from PPi per minute per milligram of protein in the presence of 1 mM MgCl2, and the Km for PPi was 0.14 mM. It also hydrolyzed imidodiphosphate to yield Pi and ammonia even in the absence of a divalent cation. The purified hydrolase liberated 2.2 mumol Pi from imidodiphosphate per minute per milligram of protein and the Km for imidodiphosphate was 0.12 mM. Addition of 80 microM MgCl2, CoCl2, or MnCl2 to the reaction mixture increased the hydrolysis rate of imidodiphosphate by 1.5-, 2.0-, and 3.4-fold, respectively. In the absence of divalent cations, the enzymatic hydrolysis of imidodiphosphate was inhibited competitively by PPi (Ki = 0.13 mM). Moreover, one-half of the maximal hydrolysis of imidodiphosphate was inhibited by 10 microM trans-1,2-diaminocyclohexane N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid or 45 microM p-chloromercuriphenyl sulfonate. When the hydrolase was treated with heat or SDS, two activities capable of hydrolyzing PPi and imidodiphosphate gave similar inactivation profiles, indicating that one hydrolase participated in the hydrolysis of both substrates.

Requirement of fibroblast growth factor signaling for regeneration of epiphyseal morphology in rabbit full-thickness defects of articular cartilage

The involvement of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) during the repair process in rabbit full-thickness defects of articular cartilage was studied. Fibroblast growth factor-2 (50 pg/h) was administered for 2 weeks in a 5 mm defect of articular cartilage, which is large enough not to repair spontaneously. The administration of FGF-2 resulted in the regeneration of the articular cartilage and the subchondral bone within 8 weeks. In these defects, undifferentiated mesenchymal cells initiated chondrogenic differentiation coupled with replacement by subchondral bone, resulting in the resurfacing of the defects with hyaline cartilage and the recovery of subchondral bone up to the original bone-articular cartilage junction. In rabbits, full-thickness defects are capable of regenerating articular cartilage as long as the defect size is limited to < or = 3 mm in diameter. In the defects, strong immunoreactivity for FGF-2 was observed in the granulation tissue filling the defects in the early stage of repair, in association with the expression of FGF-2 mRNA shown by in situ hybridization. Once the undifferentiated mesenchymal cells had differentiated into chondrocytes, both the immunoreactivity and the in situ hybridization signal declined significantly. Upon the local administration of a monoclonal antibody against FGF-2 (bFM-1, 50 ng/h), the defects were filled with fibrous tissue and no resurfacing hyaline cartilage was formed. Compared to the non-treated defects, there were marked increases in FGF-2 immunoreactivity and the overexpression of FGF-2 mRNA in the reparative tissue in the bFM-1-treated defects. This rebound phenomenon indicates that the autocrine FGF-2 signaling is critically important for the regeneration of articular cartilage.

Mixed connective tissue disease associated with acute polyradiculoneuropathy

A rare case of mixed connective tissue disease (MCTD) with acute polyradiculoneuropathy is reported. A 23-year-old woman presented with high body temperature, arthralgia and a headache, and developed gait disturbance two weeks later. She had many clinical features common to patients with MCTD. Her neurological manifestations were diagnosed as acute polyradiculoneuropathy based on the clinical picture, combined with supportive ancillary data, including cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) analysis, electrophysiological evaluation, sural nerve biopsy, peroneus brevis muscle biopsy, and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Her neurologic deficits, as well as associated laboratory findings, were improved by corticosteroid therapy.

Genetic variation in the expression of the six hsp genes in the presence of heat shock in Drosophila melanogaster

Genetic variation in total mRNA level of the six hsp genes (hsp22, hsp23, hsp26, hsp27, hsp70 and hsp82) in the presence of heat shock was investigated by using seventy-four second- and seventy third-chromosome lines of Drosophila melanogaster which have the same genetic background derived from a highly inbred stock. There was significant variation in all the six hsp genes for both the second- and third-chromosome lines except for the hsp22 gene of the third-chromosome lines. Although all the structural genes of the heat shock proteins are localized on the third chromosome, the estimates of genetic variance for the second-chromosome lines were larger than those for the third-chromosome lines. Highly significant correlations between total mRNA level of the different hsp genes in all the combinations of the six hsp genes using the second-chromosome lines were found, but some of correlations for the third-chromosome lines were not significant. These results suggest that some second chromosome variants have similar effects on the expression of the different genes.

[A case of fatal pneumonia caused by Legionella pneumophila serogroup 6 developed after drowning in a public bath]

A 57-year-old male was admitted to our hospital because of high fever, productive cough and dyspnea. Six days prior to admission he had an episode of drowning in a public bath. On admission chest X-ray showed wide-spread pneumonia causing severe respiratory distress for which mechanical ventilatory support was started. Despite chemotherapy including erythromycin and rifampicin his condition continued to deteriorate. Chemistry showed marked elevation of CPK and findings of acute renal failure. He eventually passed away with septic shock. During the course Legionellae remained negative with culture of broncho-alveolar lavage fluid. L. pneumophila serogroup 1 (SG1) antigen in the urine was not detected, and no elevation of serum antibody titer was noted. Culture of the material obtained from the lung abscess at autopsy revealed L. pneumophila SG6 and serum antibody titer against SG6 also was found to be extremely high. With this evidence we concluded that this case of pneumonia was caused by L. pneumophila SG6. We believe this is the first reported case of the SG6 pneumonia in Japan. Another remarkable feature of this case was massive rhabdomyolysis pathologically confirmed after autopsy. Although the pathogenesis of this process has not been clarified, there are several case reports of rhabdomyolysis complicated with Legionnair's disease in the past. Therefore, we should bear in mind and pay careful attention while coping with this disease.

Genetic identification of members of the genus Corynebacterium at genus and species levels with 16S rDNA-targeted probes

16S rRNA gene-targeted probes were designed for the identification of corynebacteria at the genus and species levels. The genus-specific probe hybridized all clinically important members of the genus Corynebacterium and could distinguish them from other coryneform bacteria and phylogenetically related high G+C% gram-positive bacteria, including Actinomyces, Rhodococcus, Gordona, Nocardia, Streptomyces, Brevibacterium and Mycobacterium. The species-specific probes for C. jeikeium and C. diphtheriae could differentiated these two species from other members of this genus. The probes were used to select corynebacteria among gram-positive clinical isolates which had been tentatively identified as corynebacteria by biochemical tests. We screened 59 strains with the genus-specific probe; 51 strains hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 8 did not. Of the 51 strains that hybridized to the genus-specific probe, 1 hybridized to the C. diphtheriae species probe and 13 hybridized to the C. jeikeium species probe. The 8 strains that did not hybridize to the genus probe were further characterized by analyzing cell wall diaminopimelic acid and partial 16S rRNA sequencing. The results indicated that these strains were distributed in the genera Arthrobacter and Brevibacterium.