Tremor-frequency (3-6 Hz) activity in the sensorimotor arm representation of the internal segment of the globus pallidus in patients with Parkinson's disease

Neurons in the internal segment of the globus pallidus (GPi) oscillate at approximately the frequency of parkinsonian tremor. However, the correlation of that activity with tremor has not previously been studied. We now describe the relationship between single neuron activity in the arm sensorimotor portion of GPi and upper extremity tremor in patients with Parkinson's disease. There was a significant concentration of power in the tremor-frequency range (3-6 Hz) for 11/44 GPi neurons. However, pallidal tremor-frequency activity correlated significantly with electromyogram (EMG) activity during tremor for only a single GPi neuron. These data are most consistent with the hypothesis that the output of neurons in GPi is transformed in thalamus by a non-linear mechanism, before transmission via the cortex to the spinal motorneurons that drive movement.

Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate vaccine stability: catalytic depolymerization of PRP in the presence of aluminum hydroxide

The structural stability of the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) capsular polysaccharide, polyribosylribitolphosphate (PRP) in an aluminum hydroxide adsorbed, polysaccharide-protein conjugate vaccine was monitored using modifications of an HPLC assay developed by Tsai et al. [Tsai C-M, Gu X-X, Byrd RA. Quantification of polysaccharide in Haemophilus influenzae type b conjugate and polysaccharide vaccines by high-performance anion-exchange chromatography with pulsed amperometric detection. Vaccine 1993;12:700-706.]. As applied to products containing PRP conjugated to the outer membrane protein complex (OMPC) from Neisseria meningitidis, this assay allows direct measurement of the total PRP content in very complex samples including commercial vaccine products. In addition, with the use of a high-speed centrifugation step, the assay can be used to directly quantify any PRP that is not conjugated to the OMPC carrier protein. These results provide evidence of what appears to be a catalytic reaction taking place between the phosphodiester bond of PRP and the aluminum hydroxide adjuvant that results in hydrolysis of the PRP polymer into smaller chain lengths and liberation of PRP oligomers from the conjugate particle. The reaction approaches an asymptotic limit after approximately two years at 2-8 degrees C. Clinical studies which span this time period confirm that the modest decrease in conjugated PRP content over time does not impact the overall clinical effectiveness of PRP-OMPC-containing vaccines.

Nuclear factor kappa B: important transcription factor and therapeutic target

Nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappa B) is an ubiquitous rapid response transcription factor in cells involved in immune and inflammatory reactions, and exerts its effect by expressing cytokines, chemokines, cell adhesion molecules, growth factors, and immunoreceptors. In this manner, NF-kappa B contributes to immunologically mediated diseases such as allograft rejection, rheumatoid arthritis, and bronchial asthma. The prototypic inducible form of NF-kappa B is a heterodimer composed of NF-kB1 and RelA, which both belong to the NF-kappa B/Rel family of proteins. Inactive NF-kappa B is present in the cytoplasm complexed with an inhibitory protein, I kappa B. NF-kappa B is activated by a number of incoming signals from the cell surface. Released from I kappa B inhibition, NF-kappa B translocates into the nucleus and binds to the kappa B motif of the target gene. The NF-kappa B activation process can be inhibited by pharmacologic agents at each activation step. Glucocorticoids inhibit NF-kappa B by directly associating with NF-kappa B or by upregulating I kappa B expression. Cyclosporine and tacrolimus prevent NF-kappa B activation by inhibiting the action of calcineurin, a phosphatase that indirectly induces I kappa B degradation. Deoxyspergualin inhibits NF-kappa B by blocking its nuclear translocation. Aspirin and salicylates inhibit upstream events inducing I kappa B phosphorylation. Tepoxalin and antioxidants inhibit NF-kappa B activation by influencing the redox state of the cell. Further research is required to develop more specific inhibitors to treat diseases mediated by NF-kappa B.

Mutational abrogation of the PTEN/MMAC1 gene in gastrointestinal polyps in patients with Cowden disease

BACKGROUND & AIMS

To understand the molecular etiology of Cowden disease-associated gastrointestinal polyps, we analyzed the mutational status of PTEN/MMAC1, a recently identified Cowden disease gene located at 10q23, in gastric hamartomas, colonic adenoma, and juvenile polyps of 3 patients with Cowden disease.

METHODS

Messenger RNA expression, gene deletion, and sequence alteration of PTEN/MMAC1 were evaluated by quantitative polymerease chain reaction (PCR), PCR-single-strand conformation polymorphism, and sequencing analysis.

RESULTS

Germline missense mutation at codon 289 (AAA to GAA, Lys to Glu) and deletion of the wild-type allele were detected in the polyps of 2 patients with Cowden disease in the same family. Germline allelic deletion and transcriptional silencing of the remaining allele, probably caused by abnormal methylation, were also observed in a gastric hamartoma of 1 patient.

CONCLUSIONS

The germline mutation and alteration of the remaining allele observed in this study strongly support that PTEN/MMAC1 functions as a tumor suppressor in Cowden disease. This study is the first to show that the mutational abrogation of PTEN/MMAC1 plays a causal role in the genesis of gastrointestinal polyps in Cowden disease, providing molecular genetic evidence that colonic adenoma, juvenile polyp, and gastric hamartoma could be included in the manifestations of Cowden disease.

A novel family of ubiquitin-specific proteases in chick skeletal muscle with distinct N- and C-terminal extensions

We have recently identified a cDNA for a ubiquitin-specific protease (UBP), UBP41, that encodes the smallest functional UBP identified to date, using an Escherichia coli-based in vivo screening method. In the present study we isolated highly related cDNAs encoding a new family of UBP enzymes, named UBP46, UBP52 and UBP66. These UBPs have virtually identical catalytic domains spanning the sequence of UBP41 between the active-site Cys and the His box (95% identity). However, they possess distinct N- and/or C-terminal extensions. Moreover, they are more closely related to each other than to any other members of the UBP family. Thus these chick UBPs must define a novel family of de-ubiquitinating enzymes and should represent the first example among the UBP family enzymes, whose multiplicity is achieved by variation in their N- and C-terminal extensions. The chick UBPs were expressed in E. coli, and purified from the cells to apparent homogeneity using 125I-labelled ubiquitin-alphaNH-MHISPPEPESEEEEEHYC as a substrate. Each of the purified UBP46, UBP52 and UBP66 enzymes behaved as proteins of similar sizes under both denaturing and non-denaturing conditions, suggesting that all of them consist of a single polypeptide chain. The UBP enzymes cleaved the C-terminus of the ubiquitin moiety in natural and engineered fusions irrespective of their sizes and thus are active against ubiquitin-beta-galactosidase as well as a ubiquitin C-terminal extension protein of 80 amino acids. All UBPs except UBP66 released free ubiquitin from poly-His-tagged di-ubiquitin. However, the isopeptidase activity for hydrolysing polyubiquitinated lysozyme conjugates was not detected from these UBPs, which makes these UBPs distinct from UBP41. These results suggest that the chick UBPs may play an important role in production of free ubiquitin from linear polyubiquitin chains and of certain ribosomal proteins from ubiquitin fusion proteins.

Reduced level of ATF is correlated with transcriptional repression of DNA topoisomerase II alpha gene during TPA-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells

DNA topoisomerase II is a marker for the proliferation state of mammalian cells in culture, and the protein levels are markedly higher in exponentially growing cells than quiescent cells and can be downregulated by growth of the cells at high density and serum starvation. Correlation between ATF and TPA-repressed DNA topoisomerase II alpha (Topo II alpha) mRNA has been investigated during TPA-induced differentiation of HL-60 cells. Topo II alpha mRNA and unknotting activity were reduced at 24 hours in TPA-treated HL-60 cells. The level of Topo II alpha mRNA and the activity were gradually decreased in proportion to the concentration of TPA. Two DNA-protein complexes were formed by DNA mobility shift assay when ATF-binding site was incubated with nuclear extract prepared from TPA-free HL-60 cells, and the amount of ATF was vanished after TPA treatment. TPA-repressed Topo II alpha mRNA and ATF levels were partially restored after pretreatment of staurosporin. These results suggest that the reduced level of ATF may be important to the transcriptional repression of Topo II alpha gene during TPA-induced differentiation in HL-60 cells and related to protein kinase C signal pathway.

ILK (beta1-integrin-linked protein kinase): a novel immunohistochemical marker for Ewing's sarcoma and primitive neuroectodermal tumour

ILK (beta1-integrin-linked protein kinase) is a recently identified 59-kDa serine/threonine protein kinase that interacts with the cytoplasmic domain of the beta1-integrin containing four ankyrin-like repeats. We have developed a polyclonal antibody against ILK and explored the ILK immunoreactivity in normal human cells and tissues. ILK was mainly expressed in cardiac muscle and skeletal muscles. Surprisingly, ILK expression was observed in Ewing's sarcoma (ES; 100%), primitive neuroectodermal tumour (PNET; 100%), medulloblastoma (100%), and neuroblastoma (33.3%), whereas other small round cell sarcomas were not stained by the anti-ILK antibody. These results suggest that ILK could be a novel marker for tumours with primitive neural differentiation. Our findings support the notion that ES is a tumour that is closely related to PNET and that both originate from the neuroectoderm. ILK may be a sensitive and specific immunohistochemical marker and useful for the positive identification of ES and PNET in formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissue sections.

Canine intestinal spirochetes consist of Serpulina pilosicoli and a newly identified group provisionally designated "Serpulina canis" sp. nov

The spirochetes inhabiting the large intestines of humans and animals consist of a diverse group of related organisms. Intestinal spirochetosis caused by Serpulina pilosicoli is a newly recognized enteric disease of human beings and animals with potential public health significance. The purpose of this study was to determine the species identity of canine intestinal spirochetes by comparing 30 isolates obtained from dogs in Australia (n = 25) and the United States (n = 5) with reference strains representing Serpulina species and Brachyspira aalborgi, by phenotypic and genetically based typing methods. All of the canine isolates were indole negative and produced a weak beta-hemolysis when cultured anaerobically on agar medium containing blood. Four isolates were identified as S. pilosicoli by 16S rRNA-specific PCR assays, rRNA gene restriction fragment length polymorphism or ribotyping, and multilocus enzyme electrophoresis. The remaining 26 isolates formed a cluster related to porcine Serpulina innocens as determined by multilocus enzyme electrophoresis but had a unique ribotype pattern. The data suggested the existence of a novel Serpulina species, provisionally designated "Serpulina canis," colonizing the intestines of dogs.

Continuous nebulization therapy for asthma with aerosols of beta2 agonists

BACKGROUND

Various studies have demonstrated the benefits of continuous nebulization therapy for delivering aerosols of the beta2 agonists such as terbutaline sulfate or albuterol sulfate to patients with severe asthma and/or impending respiratory failure.

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this investigation was to explicate the operational factors associated with the use of nebulizers for extended aerosol respiratory therapy including those factors that affect the prescribed aerosol dosages and the relationship to actual delivery of prescribed drugs to the respiratory airways of the lungs of a patient under treatment conditions.

METHODS

Operational characteristics and methods have been investigated for use of long-running nebulizers for continuous nebulization therapy. Factors considered were particle size distribution, setup conditions, aerosolization concentrations and rates, delivery fraction of aerosol reaching patient, and changes in medication concentration during extended operation. With a large volume nebulizer, aerosols can be delivered to the patient without dilution via a standard open mask for up to eight hours without refill. The pneumatic HEART nebulizer with 240 mL reservoir was evaluated.

RESULTS

The nebulizer was operated from a single compressed air or oxygen source and found to provide from 10 to 15 L/min of aerosol with 38 to 50 microL of aerosolized medicine per liter of air (or oxygen) and utilize from 30 to 56 mL/hour of medicinal liquid. The mass median aerodynamic diameter of the aerosol droplets was found to be about 2.0 microm (sigma(g) = 2.7). Delivery efficiency to the patient mask was about 90%. The aerosolized medicine delivered to the patient can be increased by adjusting the flow rate of the gas source or changing the solution concentration of medicine. Typically, several milligrams of drug can be delivered to the patient as inhaled aerosol per hour of treatment of which about one-quarter can be expected to be deposited in the lungs. During eight hours of operation the concentration of medicinal solution increased by about a factor of two because of water evaporation.

CONCLUSIONS

Continuous nebulization therapy is an important means of treating patients with severe asthma. Dosage criteria can be established based on the operating characteristics of the nebulizer system, drug solution concentration, and patient respiration.

Effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on lipid oxidation and volatiles content of irradiated, cooked turkey meat patties with different packaging

A study was conducted to determine the effects of dietary vitamin E supplementation on the storage stability and volatiles production in irradiated cooked turkey meat. Turkeys, raised with diets containing 25, 50, 75, or 100 IU of dl-alpha-tocopheryl acetate (TA)/kg diet from 1 to 105 d of age, were fed with diets containing 25, 200, 400, or 600 IU of TA/kg diet from 105 to 122 d of age. Breast and leg meat patties were prepared, irradiated at 0 or 2.5 kGy dose, cooked to an internal temperature of 78 C, and stored in either vacuum or aerobic packaging. Thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) values gradually decreased as the dietary TA increased and > 200 IU TA/kg diet treatments were helpful in maintaining low TBARS values in irradiated breast and leg meat patties during the 7-d storage period. With vacuum-packaging, irradiated cooked breast patties developed more oxidation than nonirradiated patties but the prooxidant effect of irradiation in cooked leg meat patties was not consistent. In aerobic-packaged cooked meat, irradiated patties had lower TBARS than nonirradiated patties in both breast and leg meat stored in oxygen permeable bags for 7 d. Propanal, pentanal, hexanal, 1-pentanol, and total volatiles were highly correlated with the TBARS values of meat. However, hexanal represented the lipid oxidation status of cooked meat better than any other volatiles component. The amount of hexanal and total volatiles in cooked breast and leg meat shows decreasing trends as dietary TA increased. In vacuum packaging, irradiated breast and leg meat had higher hexanal and total volatiles content than nonirradiated meat at both 0 and 7 d of storage. In aerobic packaging, the amount of hexanal and total volatiles greatly increased in both irradiated and nonirradiated meat patties during the 7-d storage periods. The results illustrated that the antioxidant effect of TA was not strong enough to control lipid oxidation and off-odor generation in cooked meat stored under aerobic conditions because the progress of lipid oxidation in cooked meat under aerobic condition is very rapid. However, the combination of dietary TA and vacuum packaging of cooked meat immediately after cooking could be a good strategy to minimize oxidation and volatiles production in cooked meat.

Changes in cochlear blood flow due to intra-arterial infusions of angiotensin II (3-8) (angiotensin IV) in guinea pigs

The effects of a newly discovered form of angiotensin, angiotensin IV (ANGIV), on cochlear blood flow (CBF) have been investigated utilizing the laser Doppler flowmetry (LDF) technique. Two specific questions were addressed: What are the effects of anterior inferior cerebellar artery infusions (AICA) of ANGIV on CBF and do angiotensin fragments other than ANGIV influence CBF in mature male and female guinea pigs. Infusions of ANGIV, and C-terminal shortened fragments were accomplished via micropipette into the AICA and changes in CBF were observed using LDF. The results demonstrated that 10 and 100 pmol/min doses of ANGIV increased CBF 22% and 75% (n = 6; P < 0.01) from baseline, respectively, with little change in mean arterial blood pressure (MAP). Pretreatment with the ANGIV antagonist divalanal-ANGIV (1 nmole/min) blocked increases in CBF due to infusions of 100 pmol/min of ANGIV. The infusion of the C-terminal shortened fragment ANGIV(1-5) and saline had no significant effect on either CBF or MAP. These results provide the evidence for a new subtype of the angiotensin receptor and indicate the likely role of circulating hormones in blood flow regulation in the inner ear.

Fabry's disease--a case report and review of literatures reported in Korea

Fabry's disease is a rare, X-linked disorder of the glycosphingolipid metabolism, in which a partial or total deficiency of a lysosomal alpha(alpha)-galactosidase results in the progressive accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids with terminal alpha galactose moieties (i.e., cerebroside di- and trihexoside) in most body fluids and tissues. Accumulation of neutral glycosphingolipids occurs within the lysosomes of endothelial, perithelial, and smooth muscle cells of the myocardial and renal systems; to a lesser extent in reticuloendothelial and connective cells of the cornea; and in ganglion and perineural cells of the autonomic nervous system. In Korea, 7 cases of Fabry's disease have been reported. A 29-year-old man with fever and headache had typical skin findings and a family history of Fabry's disease, and it was confirmed through renal biopsy and enzyme assay for alpha-galactosidase. We report a case of Fabry's disease with a review of the literatures reported in Korea.

Decreased gastric proliferation of foveolar epithelial cells after the eradication of Helicobacter pylori

Increased epithelial cell proliferation is associated with an increased risk of gastric carcinoma. Helicobacter pylori infection is an established risk factor for gastric cancer and the organism has recently been classified as a group I carcinogen by an IARC working group. In this study, we describe differences in gastric epithelial cell proliferation between a H. pylori eradicated group (n = 21) and a not eradicated group (n = 8) after anti-H. pylori eradication therapy to show that increased cell proliferation is associated with H. pylori infection. H. pylori infection was determined by rapid urease test and immunohistochemical method with anti-H. pylori polyclonal antibody. Gastric epithelial cell proliferation was assessed using immunohistochemical method using Ki-67 monoclonal antibody. Ki-67 positive cells in H. pylori associated chronic active gastritis were observed in the glandular neck and the upper portion of foveolar epithelium. Patients who cleared their H. pylori infections showed a significant decrease of Ki-67 labeling index after therapy (0.73 +/- 0.10 vs. 0.48 +/- 0.08, p < 0.01). By contrast, Ki-67 labeling index before and after treatment in patients who remained positive for H. pylori showed no significant difference (0.78 +/- 0.08 vs 0.74 +/- 0.10, p > 0.05). These results indicate that H. pylori infection increases the proliferation of gastric foveolar epithelium, which is reduced by the eradication therapy. We suggest that anti-H. pylori eradication therapy can prevent mucosal cell proliferation to be closely associated with gastric carcinogenesis.

New de-ubiquitinating enzyme, ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase 8, in chick skeletal muscle

We have previously shown that chick muscle extracts contained at least 10 different ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs). Here we report the purification and characterization of one of the UCHs, called UCH-8, with 125I-labelled ubiquitin-alpha-NH-MHISPPEPESEEEEEHYC as a substrate. The purified UCH-8 behaved as a 240 kDa protein on a Superdex-200 column under non-denaturing conditions but as a 130 kDa polypeptide on analysis by PAGE under denaturing conditions, suggesting that the enzyme consists of two identical subunits. Thus this enzyme seems to be distinct in its dimeric nature from other purified UCHs that consist of a single polypeptide, except that UCH-6 is also a homodimer of 27 kDa subunits. UCH-8 was maximally active between pH 7.5 and 8, but showed little or no activity below pH 7 and above pH 9. Like other UCHs it was sensitive to inhibition by thiol-blocking agents such as N-ethylmaleimide, and by ubiquitin aldehyde. The purified UCH-8 hydrolysed not only ubiquitin-alpha-NH-protein extensions, including ubiquitin-alpha-NH-carboxy extension protein of 80 amino acid residues and ubiquitin-alpha-NH-dihydrofolate reductase, but also branched poly-ubiquitin that are ligated to proteins through epsilon-NH-isopeptide bonds. However, it showed little or no activity against poly-His-tagged di-ubiquitin, suggesting that UCH-8 is not involved in the generation of free ubiquitin from the linear poly-ubiquitin precursors. These results suggest that UCH-8 might have an important role in the production of free ubiquitin and ribosomal proteins from their conjugates as well as in the recycling of ubiquitin molecules after the degradation of poly-ubiquitinated protein conjugates by the 26 S proteasome.

Purification and characterization of a new ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolase (UCH-1) with isopeptidase activity from chick skeletal muscle

We have previously shown that chick muscle extracts contain at least 10 different ubiquitin C-terminal hydrolases (UCHs). In the present studies, one of the enzymes, called UCH-1 was partially purified by conventional chromatographic procedures using (125)I-labeled ubiquitin-alphaNH-MHISPPEPESEEEEEHYC as a substrate. The purified enzyme behaved as a 35-kDa protein under both denaturing and nondenaturing conditions, suggesting that it consisted of a single polypeptide chain. It was maximally active at pHs between 8 and 9, but showed little or no activity at pH below 6 and above 11. Like other UCHs, its activity was strongly inhibited by sulfhydryl blocking reagents, such as iodoacetamide, and by ubiquitin-aldehyde. In addition to Ub-PESTc, UCH-1 hydrolyzed ubiquitin-alphaNH-protein extensions, including ubiquitin-alphaNH-carboxyl extension protein of 80 amino acids, ubiquitin-alphaNH-dihydrofolate reductase, and poly-His-tagged di-ubiquitin. This enzyme was also capable of generating free ubiquitin from mono-ubiquitin-epsilonNH-protein conjugates and from branched poly-ubiquitin chains that are ligated to proteins through epsilon NH-isopeptide bonds. These results suggest that UCH-1 may play an important role in the generation of free ubiquitin from ubiquitin-ribosomal protein fusions and linear poly-ubiquitin, as well as in recycling of Ub molecules after degradation of poly-ubiquitinated protein conjugates by the 26S proteasome.

Accuracy in target localization in stereotactic radiosurgery

The accuracy in target localization of CT, MRI, and digital angiography and the isocentric deviation of linear accelerator were investigated for stereotactic radiosurgery. Twenty-five slice images using CT and MRI were obtained out of geometrical phantom which was designed to produce exact 3-dimensional coordinates of several points within a 0.1 mm error range. These diagnostic images were transferred to a 3-D treatment planning system through ethernet. Measured 3-D coordinates of these images from the planning system were compared to known values by geometrical phantom. Anterior-posterior and lateral films were taken by digital angiography for measurement of spatial accuracy. The accuracy of gantry isocenter aligned by laser localizer was also measured. Lead ball was located at the isocenter of linear accelerator and x-ray films were taken by 4-MV photon beam with gantry angles of 0, 90, 180 and 270 degrees, Overall procedure from CT scanning to treatment was carried out using the geometrical phantom. The target accuracy was verified by high energy x-ray portal film. The accuracy of diagnostic machines were within 2.1 mm except MR-axial images. In case of linear accelerator, the deviation of isocenter was within 0.7 mm. Finally, the total isocentric deviation of overall procedure was 1.3 +/- 0.5 mm (using CT localization).

Extrarenal manifestations of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease

Recently, with the widespread use of new imaging techniques, the diagnosis of autosomal dominant polycystic kidney disease (ADPKD) is increasing. To analyze the extrarenal manifestations of ADPKD in Korean patients, we retrospectively studied the clinical characteristics of 30 patients with ADPKD. Thirty Patients with ADPKD who had been diagnosed at Yongdong Severance Hospital from 1988 through 1994 were recruited for this study. All patients' past and family histories were re-evaluated, and charts and radiologic images were reviewed retrospectively. The male to female ratio was 9:21, and the age of initial diagnosis was 39.2 +/- 13.8 (mean +/- SD) years. In 15 cases (50%), ADPKD had been diagnosed by renal symptoms; in 8 cases (26.7%), by chance during evaluation of extrarenal diseases; in 5 cases (16.7%), by family screening; and in 2 cases (6.7%), by uremic symptoms. Extrarenal involvement included hepatic cysts (70%), pancreatic cysts (16.7%), splenic cysts (6.7%), thyroid cysts (6.7%), inguinal hernia (3.3%), and colonic diverticula (3.3%). In 5 cases (16.7%), cardiac valvular abnormalities were noted by echocardiography. Seven patients underwent hemodialysis, and the duration from the initial diagnosis to initiation of dialysis was 9.9 +/- 8.5 (mean +/- SD) years. We investigated the extrarenal manifestations of 30 cases of ADPKD in Koreans, which were also common and clinically important as renal manifestations. Renal cysts are only one of a myriad of renal and extrarenal manifestations of ADPKD. ADPKD should be managed systematically since this disorder is a systemic disease with clinically important involvement of the cardiovascular system, the gastrointestinal tract, the genitourinary system, and the musculoskeletal system.

Genetic relatedness amongst intestinal spirochaetes isolated from rats and birds

Multilocus enzyme electrophoresis was used to determine genetic relationships amongst 32 intestinal spirochaetes (Serpulina spp.) isolated from rats (17), rheas (7), chickens, (4), ducks (2), a swan (1) and a flamingo (1). The strains were divided into 20 electrophoretic types (ETs), with a mean genetic diversity per locus of 0.62. The results were compared with those previously published for porcine intestinal spirochaetes. One strain from a healthy rat, and three rhea strains which were recovered from cases of necrotizing typhlitis, were grouped in the same ETs as certain porcine strains of Serpulina hyodysenteriae. The rhea strains could be differentiated from these by pulsed-field gel electrophoresis. Fifteen of the rat strains were genetically and phenotypically closely related. In contrast the avian strains were genetically more heterogeneous, with pathogenic isolates located in three different genetic groups.

Overexpression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinase-1 and -2 in the stroma of gastric cancer

The fundamental event of cancer invasion and metastasis is the complicated interaction of cancer cells with host cells, in which event, a number of proteases and their inhibitors are involved. Matrix metalloproteinases are the potent proteases in degrading the basement membrane and extra cellular matrix and are inhibited by specific endogeneous inhibitors, tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases-1(TIMP-1) and TIMP-2. The expression of mRNA for TIMP-1 and -2 was investigated by Northern blot analysis in specimens taken from 27 patients with primary gastric adenocarcinoma; 25 samples from the primary site, six from the metastatic lymph nodes and two from the peritoneal fluids. The expression for TIMP-1 and -2 was compared in primary gastric cancer tissues, metastatic lymph nodes and normal gastric mucosae. TIMP-1 mRNA was overexpressed in 24 (96%) out of 25 primary cancer tissues compared with the paired normal mucosae, while TIMP-2 was in 10 (40%). In six specimens of metastatic lymph nodes, TIMP-1 and -2 were overexpressed in 6 (100%) and 4 (67%) specimens, respectively. Of two specimens prepared from the peritoneal fluids, all specimens overexpressed TIMP-1 compared with the those of primary cancer tissues, while one (50%) specimen overexpressed TIMP-2. Immunohistochemical staining was done to investigate the localization of TIMP-1 and -2, demonstrating that the immunoreactivity for TIMP-1 and -2 was clearly detected in the cytoplasm of the stromal cells. These results suggest that both TIMP-1 and -2 are overexpressed by stromal cells in most of primary and some metastatic gastric cancer tissues and that TIMP-1 and TIMP-2, produced by stromal cells, may play an important role in inhibiting the proteolytic activity of matrix metalloproteinases originated from cancer cells, in gastric cancer.

Medial collateral ligament injuries of the knee: ultrasonographic findings

The aims of our study were (1) to describe the ultrasonographic findings of the injured medial collateral ligament of the knee and (2) to assess the usefulness of ultrasonography in both evaluating the presence and location of the medial collateral ligament injuries and predicting the prognoses for the patients. The study group consisted of 16 patients with the clinical diagnosis of medial collateral ligament injury. We also examined 20 knee joints in 10 volunteers who had no history of injury to the knee. To predict prognoses, we divided the patients into two groups on the basis of the location of medial collateral ligament injuries. A thickened and heterogeneously hypoechoic appearance of the medial collateral ligament was considered abnormal. The normal medial collateral ligament was a thin and moderately homogeneous hypoechoic band with an average thickness of 4.3 mm (range, 3.3 to 5.6 mm) at the femoral attachment and of 2.3 mm (range, 1.3 to 3.2 mm) at the tibial attachment. All injured medial collateral ligament structures were thickened and heterogeneously hypoechoic. According to the criteria for grading of medial collateral ligament injury with stress view, 10 patients had grade III medial collateral ligament tears, three had grade II tears, and none had grade I injuries. In 15 (94%) of 19 knees, a correct diagnosis could be made with ultrasonography. Ultrasonography is useful in evaluating isolated medial collateral ligament injuries and in predicting patient outcome on the basis of the location of the medial collateral ligament injuries.