[Retinal arterial obstruction and systemic disorders]

The records of 36 patients (37 eyes) with central retinal artery occlusion (CRAO, 19 patients, 19 eyes), branch retinal artery occlusion (BRAO, 15 patients, 16 eyes), and cilioretinal artery occlusion (CIAO, 2 patients, 2 eyes) were reviewed with respect to underlying systemic disorders. Hypertension was the most common disorder (58%). Half of the patients had cardiovascular disorders including ischemic heart disease, valvular disease, atrial fibrillation, internal carotid artery obstruction, and atrial myxoma. Seventeen percent of the patients had diabetes mellitus, and 8% had hyperlipemia. Cerebral infarction was detected in a quarter of the patients. The incidence of the disease was one CRAO patient per 1,000 outpatients. Age distribution showed a peak in the seventh decade. Men were twice more frequently affected than women. Right eyes were more commonly involved.

[Adaptational changes in cone electroretinograms in man]

Changes of amplitude and implicit time of human cone electroretinogram (ERG) were studied during dark adaptation and succeeding light adaptation. Dark-adapted cone ERG was isolated by subtracting scotopic blue response from matched scotopic red response. The former represented the rod-mediated b-wave, while the latter consisted of both rod-mediated b-wave and cone-mediated b-wave or x-wave. The b-wave amplitude of dark-adapted cone ERG remained unchanged during dark adaptation, while the implicit time increased systematically, reaching a plateau. Light-adapted cone ERG was obtained by red stimulus lights under a bright background light. The amplitude of light-adapted cone ERG was markedly suppressed through dark adaptation but it recovered gradually during light adaptation, reaching the base line level. The implicit time was unchanged during light adaptation.

[Coats' disease and familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity]

The first Japanese autosomal dominant pedigree of familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity was presented with photographical documentation. The proband, a 7-year-old girl also had typical Coats' disease in her left eye. The fluorescein fundus angiogram revealed retinal telangiectasis and microaneurysms with dye leakage in her left peripheral eyeground and marked arteriolar tortuosity without dye leakage in posterior portions of both eyegrounds. Her father showed prominent retinal arteriolar tortuosity bilaterally, and her sister and paternal grandmother showed mild tortuosity of retinal arterioles in both eyes. The recently proposed hypothesis that the familial retinal arteriolar tortuosity is caused by the retinal microcirculatory disturbance consisting of increased resistance in the retinal capillary bed might explain the coincidental occurrence of retinal arteriolar tortuosity and Coat's disease in this report.

Antibacterial effects of Listerine on oral bacteria

To evaluate the efficacy of Listerine, a solution for washing the oral cavity consisting of essential oils (thymol, methanol, eukalyptol) and methyl salicylate, minimum concentrations inhibiting the growth of various microorganisms in the oral cavity and the bactericidal effects on bacteria in the saliva and dental plaque were evaluated in vitro. Listerine inhibited the growth of microorganisms over a very broad range. The minimum concentration inhibiting growth of Listerine was a 4 to 32 fold dilution, 2-4 times as potent as the solution after elimination of active ingredient components, in 38 of 54 bacterial strains, indicating the efficacy of the active ingredient in the inhibition of the growth of microorganisms. Bactericidal action of Listerine against from bacteria isolated from saliva and dental plaque from 5 healthy normal subjects was tested. Listerine exhibited a potent bactericidal effect on bacteria in saliva and dental plaque. Most of the bacteria died after a 30 second exposure to Listerine. According to these results, Listerine appears to be effective as a solution used for cleansing the oral cavity and dentures.

Recovery of an epitope recognized by a novel monoclonal antibody from airway lavage during experimental induction of chronic bronchitis

Prolonged exposure of dogs to high concentrations of SO2 gas results in a syndrome with many of the characteristics of human chronic bronchitis, including cough and chronic mucous hypersecretion as well as airway obstruction. We developed and used a novel monoclonal antibody, GB-4B, raised against epithelial glycoprotein isolated from human hypersecretory mucus to probe airway lavage samples from dogs before and during prolonged exposure to SO2 gas. There were relatively low mean titers of the epitope recognized by GB-4B in airway lavage fluid as evidenced by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay before exposure to SO2 gas. After 25 to 50 wk of SO2 exposure, the dogs showed a significant increase in pulmonary resistance and there was a significant increase in the titer of the epitope in the airway lavage fluid. Using the same antibody immunohistochemical analysis of airway tissues from SO2-exposed dogs revealed patchy staining of the mucous glands and airway secretory cells and dense staining along the airway surface; airway tissue from control dogs and one SO2-exposed dog whose lavage fluid did not contain the epitope showed little or no staining. These data demonstrate that similar mucin epitopes appear in airway lavage fluid under hypersecretory conditions in both animals and humans. The epitope may have utility as a marker of chronic mucous hypersecretion.

Competitive action of a biological response modifier, PSK, on a humoral immunosuppressive factor produced in tumor-bearing hosts

We investigated the effect of PSK, a protein-bound polysaccharide obtained from the basidiomycetes Coriolus versicolor, on an immunosuppressive factor produced in tumor-bearing animals. Oral administration of PSK suppressed the growth of the tumor in C3H/He mice bearing X5563 plasmacytoma or MH134 hepatoma, but affected mice bearing MM102 mammary tumor little. PSK prevented the reduction in splenic lymphocyte blastogenesis caused by phytohemagglutinin that occurs in mice bearing X5563 tumors or MH134 hepatoma. The lymphocyte blastogenesis affected little by tumor or PSK in mice bearing MM102 tumors. The effect of sera on the blastogenesis of lymphocytes caused by phytohemagglutinin was different with different tumors in the C3H/He mice. Serum of mice bearing X5563 tumors inhibited blastogenesis, but serum of mice bearing MH134 hepatoma or MM102 tumors promoted it. The sera of mice bearing MH134 hepatoma contained both inhibitory and promotive factors; those of mice bearing X5563 tumors contained an inhibitory factor, and those of mice bearing MM102 tumors contained a promotive factor. The oral administration of PSK reduced the inhibition caused by the sera of mice bearing X5563 tumors. The promotive activity of sera from mice bearing MH134 hepatoma was augmented by PSK; that of sera in mice bearing MM102 tumors was not affected by PSK. Living Bacillus Calmette-Guérin did not have such effects in any of these mice. Serum immunosuppressive activity was also reduced by PSK in various tumor lines of rodents. These results suggest that PSK acts by reducing the activity of immunosuppressive factors produced in tumor-bearing hosts.

[Clinical use of castable ceramics (OCC) crown]

The new ceramics material (OCC) was developed for the purpose of aesthetic restration which can be fabricated by an usual lost wax process and it produces accurate marginal fit. OCC possesses mechanical, chemical, and physical properties. This article is discussed utility and security of OCC complete crown on the clinical application from Dec, 1986 to Jun, 1989. The results may be summarized as follows: 1) 2 of 69 cases were broken down in the period from Dec, 1986 to Jun, 1989. These reasons are caused by the lack of occlusal thickness and unsuitable fit of crown. 2) Although 4 of 69 cases are stained by tobacco tar and 5 of 69 cases are suffered from plaque accumulation, these staining and plaque accumulation are improved by plaque control. 3) An allergic reaction or an abnormality of oral tissues haven't been recognized during test period of clinical use. Consequently OCC crown showed itself about safety and usefulness.

Direct write-out of particle size distribution of inhaled aerosol deposition using a laser scattering method

We developed a device to measure inhaled aerosol deposition in the lung from the difference in particle size distribution of the aerosol during inspiration and expiration. To measure quantity and size distribution of nebulized aerosol particles directly at the subject's mouth we used a He-Ne gas laser scattering technique. To test the reliability of the instrument, we measured particle size distributions of saline aerosols generated by four kinds of nebulizer and compared the results with those from a Malvern 2600D particle sizer as a standard of comparison. Measured mass median diameters (MMDs) were almost identical by both methods. Aerosol deposition in five normal subjects showed that the deposition fraction of the particles increased the larger the particle sizes inhaled. The data suggest that the newly developed aerosol spectrometer can directly analyze aerosol particle size distribution at the mouth during tidal breathing, and that the instrument is useful for quantitative analysis of aerosol inhaled and of inhaled aerosol deposition.

Neurokinin A-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness to methacholine in Japanese monkeys

The present study was designed to investigate whether neurokinin A (NKA) and substance P (SP) increase bronchial responsiveness to methacholine (MCh). Before and 1, 2, 3 and 4 weeks after three Japanese monkeys had inhaled 10(-8) M NKA and 10(-8) M SP for 2 min, bronchial responsiveness to inhaled MCh was evaluated. Pulmonary flow resistance (R1) and dynamic lung compliance (Cdyn) were used as pulmonary function tests. Dose-response curves of R1 to inhaled MCh were shifted to the left 1 to 4 weeks after NKA treatment, compared with that obtained before treatment. However, SP treatment did not change the R1 dose-response curve. Thus, bronchial responsiveness to MCh was increased by inhalation of 10(-8) M NKA in Japanese monkeys.

Autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa: a log quotient analysis of the photopic and scotopic b-wave amplitude

The relationship of the photopic and the scotopic b-wave amplitudes of the electroretinogram was studied in 85 normal subjects and 25 patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, in which one amplitude was at least 20 microvolts. The log quotient of their b-wave amplitudes--that is log of the photopic b-wave amplitude divided by the scotopic b-wave amplitude--was considered to represent the activity of cones relative to rods. The log quotient values had a normal gaussian distribution in the normal control eyes, while they formed two groups in the patients with autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. In the first group (type 1), the scotopic b-wave was non-recordable while the photopic b-wave amplitude was larger than 20 microvolts in all cases, indicating that the log quotient is larger than 0.5 and that the rod system is much more severely affected than the cone system. The second group (type 2) had a log quotient smaller than 0.5 and its distribution almost overlapped the normal one, indicating more symmetrical damage in the cone and rod systems. The mean final rod threshold at 45 minutes for type 1 was significantly higher than that for type 2. The log quotient proved to be a useful index for analysing the cone and rod involvement and consequently provides a better understanding of autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa.

A novel method for removal of human immunodeficiency virus: filtration with porous polymeric membranes

We propose a new method to rid solutions of a virus by using a novel regenerated multilayered structured cellulose membrane (BMM). When the filtrate of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) preparation was obtained through BMM it showed no infectivity. Electron microscopic observation revealed that HIV was completely caught by the multilayers of the BMM. Conveniently, BMM was seldomly found to adsorb protein molecules and also to have a high filtration rate. These characteristics may have a use in the removal of other variously sized pathogenic agents from plasma.

[The influence of the operating positions on the prepared abutment contour of full cast crowns. Unanatomical artificial teeth for fixed bridge]

With a view to research the effect of the crown form, we made the unanatomical artificial teeth and some doctors to do the abutment tooth preparation with full cast crowns for the maxillar left fixed prosthodontics three-unit bridge in random position. After that, following are the results of a study made on the influence to the prepared tooth form. The prepared teeth are the second premolar and the second molar (The "second premolar" is abbreviated to "5" and the "second molar" is abbreviated to "7"). 1. The reductions of occlusal surface was excessively larger at 5 and 7 buccal cusp regions, while it was excessively smaller at central groove area. 2. The reductions of axial surface and subgingival area were excessively smaller at 5 and 7. 3. As for the degree of axial taper, its was steeper toward the buccal and distal surfaces at 5 and 7. 4. As for the relative degree of axial taper, it get the largest in degree on both sides between 5 medial surface and 7 distal surface. The results of this experiment are similar to the results that used anatomical artificial teeth. These results are affected by the operating posture.

Mechanism of action of the antitumour effect of K18

K18 is an anticancer drug for oral administration comprising about five molecules of melphalan, an alkylating drug, covalently bonded to human immunoglobulin G. This study measured the in vitro antitumour activity of K18, melphalan and immunoglobulin G on human myeloma cells (RPMI-8226) and the in vivo antitumour effects of K18 and melphalan in BALB/c nude mice bearing human lung cancer cells (LC-10). The relative tumour-inhibitory effect, in vitro, was found to be: immunoglobulin G less than K18 less than melphalan. This activity of K18 was about half the theoretical value indicating that melphalan molecules are not released easily from the conjugate. K18 showed strong antitumour activity in vivo which continued after stopping administration. On the other hand, the effects of melphalan did not continue after administration was stopped. The distribution of [125I] K18 and [14C]melphalan was examined in BALB/c nude mice 14 days after implantation of LC-10 cells. Radioactivity levels in the major organs showed a transient rapid increase followed by a gradual decline. In tumours, [14C]melphalan levels increased transiently and then decreased, whereas [125I]K18 levels persisted following intravenous administration.

Synthesis of a mucin-type O-glycosylated amino acid, beta-Gal-(1----3)-[alpha-Neu5Ac-(2----6)]-alpha-GalNAc-(1----3)- Ser

Total synthesis of O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1----3)-O-[(5-acetamido-3,5-dideoxy- D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosylonic acid)-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3 )-L- serine was achieved by use of the key glycosyl donor O-(2,3,4,6-tetra-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O- [methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-4-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-a lpha-D- galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate and the key glycosyl acceptor N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L- serine benzyl ester in a regiocontrolled way.

Synthesis of a fully protected derivative of O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----3)-O-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1- ---3)-O- [(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl)-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha- D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine

N-(Benzyloxycarbonyl)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----3)-O-(2,4,6-tri-O-acetyl-beta-D - galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-O-(2-acetamido-4-O-acetyl-2- deoxy-alpha-D- galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-L-serine benzyl ester was synthesized by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5- di-deoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]- (2----3)-O-(2,4,6- tri-O-acetyl-beta-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3)-O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galact o-2- nonulopyranosyl)onate-(2----6)]-4-O-acetyl-2-azido-2-deoxy-a lpha- and -beta-D-galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate as a key glycotetraosyl donor which, upon reaction with N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester, afforded a 44% yield of a mixture of the alpha- and beta-glycosides in the ratio of 2:5.

The pattern electroretinogram in glaucoma: an evaluation by relative amplitude from the Bjerrum area

A new concept for evaluating the pattern electroretinogram (PERG) in glaucoma and its clinical application are described. The PERG was elicited by two different stimulus fields, namely, the whole central retinal area with a radius of 18 degrees and the paracentral ring area between the radius of 10 degrees and 18 degrees. The amplitude of the PERG for each stimulus field and the ratio of them were analysed for 30 patients with glaucoma or ocular hypertension. Among these only a small number of eyes were detected as abnormal when we evaluated the amplitude itself either with the central stimulus or the paracentral ring stimulus, whereas the ratio of the two values was below normal in some cases of advanced glaucoma. We conclude that the ratio of the paracentral to central PERG is useful for detecting glaucoma.

Treatment with Krestin combined with mitomycin C, and effect on immune response

The combination effects of Krestin (PSK) and mitomycin C (MMC) were examined in experimental tumor models. PSK was administered either orally or intraperitoneally. Delayed-type footpad reaction and antibody formation against sheep erythrocytes were measured in hosts of which immune functions were depressed by tumor burden. Results of the experiment indicated that the simultaneous administration of PSK and MMC significantly increased the survival rate of tumor-bearing mice and restored more effectively their immune functions compared to those of nontreated tumor-bearing controls or tumor-bearing hosts treated with a single agent.

Antitumor effect of K18 on metastatic models

K18 is a newly synthesized antitumor agent which is the conjugate form of human immunoglobulin with p-di (2-chloroethyl)-amino-L-phenylalamine (melphalan). The antitumor effect of K18 on two animal metastatic models was investigated: (a) Lewis lung carcinoma was transplanted into thigh muscle of mice, followed by the reaction of the primary lesion, or the tumor was transplanted through the tail vein: (b) a renal model was also created, where colon-26 was inoculated into the renal capsule of BALB/c mice. Oral administration of K18 resulted in the decrease in the number of nodules in the lung in the case of tumor transplantation through tail vein.

Molecular cloning of complementary DNA encoding one of the human pancreatic protease E isozymes

We have cloned a DNA from a human pancreatic cDNA library using a cloned rat pancreatic elastase 1 cDNA as a probe, and determined its nucleotide sequence. This cDNA contains a coding region of 810 nucleotides which encodes a 270-amino-acid protein. The deduced amino acid sequence shows less than 60% homologies with rat and porcine pancreatic elastase 1, although its substrate binding region is homologous with those of the above elastases 1. When this deduced amino acid sequence was compared with known amino acid sequences of pancreatic proteases other than elastases, it was found to contain an amino acid sequence which was highly homologous with the N-terminal amino acid sequence of porcine pancreatic protease E. We also purified human pancreatic protease E isozymes from human pancreatic juice, and determined their N-terminal amino acid sequences. One of the isozymes does not hydrolyze elastin but does hydrolyze a synthetic substrate. Endoglycosidase F digests glycoside bonds of the isozyme. These results suggest that the cDNA cloned by us corresponded to one of the human protease E isozymes.

A monoclonal antibody that recognizes a cluster of a disaccharide, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc, in mucin-type glycoproteins

The structure of an epitopic carbohydrate recognized by a monoclonal antibody, MLS 102, was determined. A disaccharide, NeuAc alpha (2----6)GalNAc, the major prosthetic group of ovine submaxillary mucin (OSM) and related synthetic glycosides, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc alpha----Ser, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc beta----Ser, and NeuAc alpha (2----6)GalNAc beta----propyl, reacted with MLS 102 to similar extents, but the reaction was considerably weaker compared to that of OSM. This difference in reactivity could be ascribed to the occurrence of a cluster of the disaccharide on OSM. Purification of MLS 102-reactive antigens from a Triton X-100 extract of LS 180 cells by means of immunoaffinity chromatography gave mucin fractions (cMLS 102 antigen) with an OSM-like domain. Correlation between the content of the disaccharide, NeuAc alpha(2----6)GalNAc, in mucins and their reactivity with MLS 102 was observed.

Preparation and characterization of monoclonal antibodies directed to the tumor-associated O-linked sialosyl-2----6 alpha-N-acetylgalactosaminyl (sialosyl-Tn) epitope

Two monoclonal antibodies, TKH1 and TKH2, directed toward the sialosyl-Tn structure (NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser or Thr), which display a remarkable immunohistological tumor specificity, were generated by immunization with ovine submaxillary mucin. The reactivity of these antibodies was monitored by solid phase enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with different native and glycosidase-treated mucins and glycoproteins. Binding of the antibody to ovine submaxillary mucin glycoprotein was strongly inhibited by the O-linked disaccharide NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc alpha 1----O-serine, less strongly by NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc beta 1----O-propyl, and weakly by the monosaccharide GalNac. The reactivity was compared with previously established anti-Tn antibodies B72.3, NCC-Lu-35, and NCC-Lu-81. The antibody B72.3 was prepared previously after immunization with metastatic breast adenocarcinoma and its epitope was claimed to be GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser (or - Thr) by Springer and associates [Springer, G.F., et al. In: T. Dao, et al. (eds.), Tumor Markers and Their Significance in the Management of Breast Cancer, pp. 47-70. New York: A.R. Liss, 1986]. The antibody was found to show very similar reactivity as that of TKH1/TKH2, and its reactivity to ovine submaxillary mucin was inhibited specifically by NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc alpha 1----O-serine, indicating that the antibody is clearly directed to sialosyl-Tn antigen. Immunohistological study of the distribution of this antigen in various normal human tissues and carcinomas by TKH1/TKH2 antibodies, as well as B72.3 and monoclonal antibodies NCC-Lu-35/81, which are directed to GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser or Thr (Tn), was performed. The sialosyl-Tn antigen was not found in normal tissue except for a weak expression in Leydig cells of the testis, goblet cells of the colon, and parietal cells of the stomach. In contrast, the sialosyl-Tn antigen was strongly expressed in a large number of adenocarcinomas. As expected from the specificity studies, B72.3 shows the same reactivity as TKH1 and TKH2. Thus, both sialosyl-Tn (NeuAc alpha 2----6GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser/Thr) and Tn (GalNAc alpha 1----O-Ser/Thr) are good tumor markers, and combined use of antibodies directed to these structures might be useful in the screening and classification of cancer.

Total synthesis of 3-O-[2-acetamido-6-O-(N-acetyl-alpha-D-neuraminyl-2-deoxy- alpha-D-galactosyl]-L-serine and a stereoisomer

O-(5-Acetamido-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D-galacto-2- nonulopyranoxylonic acid)-(2----6)-O-(2-acetamido-2-deoxy-alpha-D-galactopyranosyl)-(1----3) -L-serine, a structural unit occurring in various submaxillary mucins, was synthesized for the first time by using O-[methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-alpha-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl)onate]-(2----6)-3,4-di-O-acetyl-2- azido-2-deoxy-D- galactopyranosyl trichloroacetimidate (13) and N-(benzyloxycarbonyl)-L-serine benzyl ester as the key intermediates. The trichloroacetimidate 13 was prepared by starting from two monosaccharide synthons, namely, allyl 2-azido-2-deoxy-beta-D-galactopyranoside and methyl (5-acetamido-4,7,8,9-tetra-O-acetyl-3,5-dideoxy-D-glycero-beta-D- galacto-2-nonulopyranosyl chloride)onate, which were coupled in the presence of silver triflate in tetrahydrofuran to give the desired alpha-(2----6)-linked disaccharide in moderate selectivity.

Antitumor and other effects of 24R,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol in Lewis lung carcinoma causing abnormal calcium metabolism in tumor-bearing mice

Lewis lung carcinoma was found to cause hypercalcemia in tumor-bearing mice. 24R,25(OH)2D3 (K-DR, prepared by Kureha Chemical Ind.) significantly prolonged the survival time of mice with Lewis lung carcinoma. K-DR exhibited an antimetastatic effect on Lewis lung carcinoma, and also had an analgesic effect in mice with Lewis lung carcinoma.

The pathogenesis of experimental arteritis induced by Candida alkali-extract in mice

The pathogenesis of experimental arteritis induced by Candida alkali-extract in mice was studied from the immunological, pharmacological and chemical points of view. The following results were obtained. 1) The incidence of arteritis increased in parallel with IgE antibody level of Candida, as shown by the PCA method. 2) Candida polysaccharide showed cardiotonic, coronary vasodilatatory and vasoconstrictive activities on Langendorff's and spiral preparation of rats. 3) Candida polysaccharide was shown to contain digitoxose by gas-mass spectrometry. From these results, it is suspected that this extract reacts on experimental animals by the toxic and immunological mechanisms, and that these mechanisms may be related to the occurrence of arteritis.

Molecular cloning and expression in Escherichia coli of a cDNA encoding human pancreatic elastase 2

We have cloned a DNA that is complementary to the messenger RNA that encodes human pancreatic elastase 2 from a human pancreatic cDNA library using a cloned cDNA for rat pancreatic elastase 2 messenger RNA. This complementary DNA contains the entire protein coding region of 807 nucleotides which encodes preproelastase of 269 amino acids, and 4 and 82 nucleotides of the 5'- and 3'-untranslated sequences, respectively. When this deduced amino acid sequence was compared with known amino acid sequences it showed 82% homology with rat pancreatic elastase 2. This deduced sequence also contains a 16-amino-acid peptide identical with the N-terminal sequence determined for native human pancreatic proelastase 2. Taking the above findings together, we conclude that the cloned cDNA encodes a mature enzyme of 241 amino acids including 16 and 12 amino acids for a signal peptide and an activation peptide, respectively. Moreover, the predicted key amino acid residues involved in determining the substrate specificity of mammalian pancreatic elastase 2 are retained in the human enzyme. Cloned human pancreatic elastase 2 cDNA was expressed in E. coli as a mature and pro-form protein. Both resulting proteins showed immunoreactivity toward anti-elastase serum and enzymatic activity. We have also cloned and sequenced a porcine pancreatic elastase 2 cDNA.

Bronchoalveolar lavage and histologic characterization of late asthmatic response in guinea pigs

To elucidate the mechanisms of late asthmatic response (LAR) observed in asthmatic subjects, we have developed an animal model of LAR using guinea pigs. Fifty guinea pigs were immunized with a mixture of Ascaris suum extract and aluminum hydroxide and then challenged with an inhalation of Ascaris suum extract without anesthesia. Twenty of the 50 guinea pigs showed a dual asthmatic response in which the LAR occurred 3 to 6 h after immediate asthmatic response (IAR). Histologic studies by rapid freezing with liquid nitrogen or bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) were performed in 14 of these 20 guinea pigs with LAR and compared with those in 10 of 18 guinea pigs with only IAR, 10 control guinea pigs, and 10 nonimmunized but challenged guinea pigs. Both the percentage and the absolute number of neutrophils in the BAL fluid of the guinea pigs with LAR were significantly greater than those of the control guinea pigs (p less than 0.02) and than those of the nonimmunized but challenged guinea pigs (p less than 0.02). However, that of guinea pigs with LAR was not significantly different from that of guinea pigs with only IAR. On the other hand, histologic examination showed that eosinophil infiltration within the airway walls of the guinea pigs with LAR was more prominent than that of the guinea pigs with only IAR, and showed that there was no significant difference in neutrophil infiltration within the airway walls between the guinea pigs with LAR and the animals with only IAR. Contraction of airway (bronchus, bronchiole) smooth muscle, submucosal edema, and mucus in airway lumen were also observed in LAR.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Effect of PSK on prohibited immunity of splenectomized mice

The effect of PSK (Krestine, an anti-tumor drug prepared from Coriolus versicolor) on splenectomized experimental animals was investigated. Splenectomy was performed on both a tumor-free control group and a tumor-bearing group. The administration of PSK on the splenectomized control group significantly increased the immune state of the host. In the case of the tumor-bearing group, administration of PSK resulted in restoration of the immune function as observed in the control group. Recovery of the immunological function was accelerated when tumor-bearing animals were splenectomized at the terminal stage. The results suggest that the immunomodulating effects of PSK developed at the time of the splenectomy resulted in anticancer activity.

[Non-invasive secretory carcinoma of the breast]

A case of non-invasive secretory carcinoma of the breast is reported. The patient was a 33-year-old Japanese woman who complained of abnormal nipple discharge from the right breast. Although physical and radiological examinations failed to find any abnormal nodular lesions in the breast, a cytological examination revealed signet-ring-like atypical cells in the smears of nipple discharge. Radical mastectomy with axillary lymph nodes dissection was performed. No nodular lesions were macroscopically observed. However, intraductal proliferation of atypical cells was microscopically found in the excised breast. Diastase-resistant PAS-positive mucus was observed in the tumor-cell-forming-lumina and in the cytoplasm of tumor cells. No metastases were observed in the axillary lymph nodes.

Calibration of effective van der Waals atomic contact radii for proteins and peptides

Effective van der Waals radii were calibrated in such a way that molecular models built from standard bond lengths and bond angles reproduced the amino acid conformations observed by crystallography in proteins and peptides. The calibrations were based on the comparison of the Ramachandran plots prepared from high-resolution X-ray data of proteins and peptides with the allowed phi, psi torsional angle space for the dipeptide molecular models. The calibrated radii are useful as criteria with which to filter energetically improbable conformations in molecular modeling studies of proteins and peptides.

Purification and properties of dihydrogeodin oxidase from Aspergillus terreus

The last step of (+)-geodin biosynthesis is a phenol oxidative coupling, which is one of the most important reactions in biosynthesis of natural products. The enzyme named dihydrogeodin oxidase catalyzes the regio- and stereospecific phenol oxidative coupling reaction to form (+)-geodin from dihydrogeodin. The enzyme was purified from the cell-free extract of Aspergillus terreus, a (+)-geodin producer, by ammonium sulfate fractionation, acid treatment, and column chromatographies on DEAE-cellulose, Hydroxyapatite, chromatofocusing, and Toyopearl HW-55S. The purified enzyme was homogeneous as judged by sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 153,000 by gel filtration on a Toyopearl HW-55S column and 76,000 by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, indicating that the enzyme is a dimer. The purified enzyme showed an intense blue color and had absorption maxima at 280 and 600 nm, which suggested it to be a blue copper protein. The copper content was found to be 8 atoms per subunit by atomic absorption analysis and no significant amount of other metals was detected by ICP emission spectrometry. The electron paramagnetic resonance spectrum showed the presence of type 1 and type 2 copper atoms in the enzyme molecule. Sodium azide and ethylxanthate inhibited the enzyme activity, but potassium cyanide and diethyldithiocarbamate, both known as potent copper enzyme inhibitors, were not inhibitory.

Functional analogues of bleomycin: DNA cleavage by bleomycin and hemin-intercalators

New hemin-intercalators (Hem-G's) that cleave DNA were synthesized, on the basis of 2-amino-6-methyldipyrido[1,2-alpha:3',2'-d]imidazole (Glu-P-1) as an intercalator moiety. Hem-G's, which possess an intramolecular ligand of the ferrous ion (a histidine or imidazole moiety), cleave DNA very efficiently and act at guanine-pyrimidine sequences preferentially. Bleomycin (BLM) also cleaved DNA with the same base-sequence selectivity shown by Hem-G's. The 5'-terminus of the DNA fragments cleaved by Hem-G's or by BLM is a phosphoryl group, while the 3'-terminus of the cleaved DNA fragments does not possess a 3'-phosphoryl group. There are more than three kinds of 5'-end 32P-labeled DNA fragments, which can be substrates of terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT). One of the 3'-termini of the cleaved DNA fragments is a 3'-hydroxy group. The mobility of the 3'-end 32P-labeled DNA fragment cleaved by Hem-G's or by BLM corresponds to the removal of pyrimidine bases having guanine at the 5'-side. The mobility of one kind of the cleaved 5'-end 32P-labeled DNA fragments corresponds to the removal of guanine having pyrimidine at the 3'-side, followed by 3'-dephosphorylation. We propose that there exist plural mechanisms for DNA cleavage by Hem-G's or by BLM. The deduced structures of the cleaved DNA fragments suggest that one of the mechanisms involves deletion of two nucleotide units from DNA.

Effects of retinal detachment surgery on standing potential

We studied the effects of retinal detachment surgery on the standing potential of the human eye using the electrooculographic technique. Before and two weeks after surgery, we measured the relative base value (rBV) which is the base value of the affected eye divided by the base value of the fellow eye. The rBV distributed around 1.0 before surgery and decreased below 1.0 two weeks after surgery. The change in the rBV through surgery represented by the value R is defined as preoperative rBV minus postoperative rBV divided by preoperative rBV; this was closely correlated with the area of the scleral buckling. The decrease in the rBV was thought to represent the reduction in the standing potential of the operated eye, probably due to circulatory disturbance of the choroid.

Late pulmonary response in guinea pigs after ascaris challenge

Respiratory resistance of guinea pigs immunized with Ascaris suum was measured over 6 hr after aerosol challenge of the allergen by use of the oscillation method. These animals showed a biphasic pulmonary response to the aerosol challenge with Ascaris suum. Histological analysis of these animals revealed a narrowing of bronchial lumen, peribronchial edema and neutrophil-rich mucous in bronchial lumen at the late pulmonary response.