Neural tube is partially dorsalized by overexpression of HrPax-37: the ascidian homologue of Pax-3 and Pax-7

The origin and elaboration of the central nervous system played an important role in chordate and vertebrate history. All chordates possess a dorsal tubular central nervous system, but elaboration of dorsoventral and segmental pattern is far more pronounced in cephalochordates and vertebrates than in the more basal urochordates. Analysis of the urochordates, therefore, should allow deduction of the neural organization and neuronal patterning mechanisms that predated overt dorsoventral and segmental complexity. Here we report functional studies of the ascidian Pax gene (HrPax-37). The spatiotemporal expression pattern of HrPax-37 has suggested involvement in two distinct developmental processes: specification of dorsal cell fates of ectoderm during neurulation, and regional differentiation of the neural tube in later stages. Here we show that HrPax-37 is descendent from the precursor of the Pax-3 and Pax-7 genes implicated in specification of dorsal fate in the vertebrate neural tube. We also demonstrate that injection of HrPax-37 RNA into fertilized eggs causes ectopic expression of the dorsal neural marker tyrosinase gene in neurulae, confirming a regulatory role in dorsal patterning of the neural tube comparable to its vertebrate homologues. These results suggest that dorsal specification in the neural tube by Pax-3/7 subfamily genes was established in the ancestors of extant chordates during emergence of the dorsal tubular nervous system.

Induction of apoptotic cell death in three human osteosarcoma cell lines by a polyamine synthesis inhibitor, methylglyoxal bis(cyclopentylamidinohydrazone) (MGBCP)

Our previous experiments have shown that methylglyoxal bis(cyclopentylamidinohydrazone) (MGBCP), a polyamine synthesis inhibitor, suppresses the growth of osteosarcoma cells repressing their intracellular polyamine levels, and that this inhibition of cell growth is only partially reversed by the addition of polyamines. In the present study, we found evidence indicating that the incomplete recovery of cell growth by the addition of polyamines to the polyamine-depleted cells was due to programmed cell death (apoptosis) induced by MGBCP. Morphological changes showing blebbing and chromatin condensation were observed in MGBCP-treated cells, and hypodiploid subpopulations containing apoptotic cells were clearly visible in the profile of flow cytometric analysis. Characteristic oligonucleosomal-sized fragments were increased as the concentration of MGBCP was increased. The results presented here suggest that in addition to reducing the growth rates, MGBCP can induce apoptotic cell death in three human osteosarcoma cell lines.

[Delayed emergence from propofol, nitrous oxide and oxygen anesthesia--a case report]

We report a case of delayed recovery after the termination of propofol and nitrous oxide anesthesia. On the preoperative examination hepatic dysfunction (Indocyanine green (ICG) plasma retention rate at 15 minutes of 22%) was pointed out. Anesthesia was maintained with epidural block, nitrous oxide, oxygen and propofol. Average infusion rate of propofol was 5-6 mg.kg-1.h-1. Although at the end of the operation, the propofol infusion and nitrous oxide were stopped simultaneously, 59 minutes were necessary before the emergence from anesthesia. We consider that an average infusion rate of propofol should be decelerated in a case of ICG clearance time elongation.

Two cases of malignant lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytosis resembling orbital cellulitis

Two patients with malignant lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytic syndrome (HPS) are reported. Their clinical signs at onset were similar to those of orbital cellulitis. Lymphoma complicated by hemophagocytosis is called lymphoma-associated hemophagocytic syndrome (LAHS) and its prognosis is reported to be very poor. As far as we know, this is the first report in the ophthalmological field. In our patients, we suspected that the lesions occurred from the orbit or skin of this area. The first patient was a 22-year-old man and the second patient a 16-year-old girl. The diagnosis was very difficult at the onset of disease. They died within 6 months after the first ophthalmological examination. When orbital cellulitis is suspected and antibiotic therapy is ineffective, we should suspect HPS and should examine serum ferritin, which is a good marker of HPS. Early biopsy and consultation with a hematologist are very important.

The recently-described ascidian species Molgula tectiformis is a direct developer

Molgula tectiformis is a new ascidian species recently described by Nishikawa (1991). In Otsuchi Bay, Iwate, Japan, they are easily obtainable from cages for culturing scallops. We report here that M. tectiformis is another example of a direct developer: their embryonic development is lacking the tadpole larva. The fertilized egg is orange and about 150 microns in diameter. At 18 degrees C, the egg cleaves at about 20 min intervals and gastrulation occurs about 5 hr after fertilization. In contrast to conventionally-developing ascidians, M. tectiformis does not form a tadpole larva. Immediately before hatching, three stolons or ampullae begin to extend from the tailless embryo. After hatching the stolons mediate the attachment of the juvenile body to the substratum. Histochemistry for tissue-specific enzyme activity did not detect muscle-specific acetyl-cholinesterase, endoderm-specific alkaline phosphatase, and pigment cell-specific tyrosinase. In addition, in situ hybridization could not prove the presence of muscle actin gene transcripts in the embryo. These results suggest that these larval tissues do not differentiate in M. tectiformis embryos. Because M. tectiformis is common and gravid year-around in Otsuchi Bay, this direct developer provides the opportunity for further analysis of molecular changes during evolution that cause an alternative mode of development.

[Relationship between distortion product otoacoustic emissions and pure tone thresholds in normal and hearing-impaired ears]

To establish clinical criteria for distortion product otoacoustic emissions (DPOAEs) in order to distinguish normal-hearing from hearing-impaired ears, DPOAEs were measured and evaluated in 325 normal and 291 cochlear-impaired human ears using an ILO92 Otoacoustic Emission Analyzer. The background noise level was too variational in each individual ear to ignore in DPOAE measurements. Therefore, the value of the difference between the DPOAE amplitude and the background noise level (DPOAE noise) was calculated and compared with the pure tone threshold at 1 kHz, 2 kHz and 4 kHz. It was difficult, however, to precisely separate normal-hearing and hearing impaired ears with DPOAE noise values because many normal ears presented small amplitudes of DPOAEs and some impaired ears showed high amplitudes. Therefore, cumulative distributions of sensitivity (normal hearing ears identified as normal hearing) and specificity (hearing impaired ears identified as hearing impaired) were constructed and used to calculate a cut off point for DPOAE-noise in order to separate normal hearing from hearing impaired ears. It is considered that the cut-off points (DPOAE noise values of 7.3 dB at 1 kHz, 10.3 dB at 2 kHz and 16.1 dB at 4 kHz) at which the false alarm rates (1 specificity: the rate of hearing impaired ears incorrectly identified as normal hearing) correspond to 5% can be useful for clinical evaluation of DPOAEs.

The arcuate nucleus as a primary site of satiety effect of leptin in rats

The obese (ob) gene encodes a fat cell-derived circulating satiety factor (leptin) that is involved in the regulation of energy homeostasis. In the present study, we examined effects of i.c.v. injection of recombinant human leptin on food intake and body weight gain in rats. We also studied effects of direct microinjections of leptin into the arcuate nucleus (Arc), ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH), and lateral hypothalamus (LH). A single i.c.v. injection of recombinant human leptin (0.25-2.0 micrograms/rat) reduced significantly and dose-dependently food intake and body weight gain in rats. Microinjections (0.125-0.5 microgram/site) into the bilateral Arc, VMH, and LH caused dose-related decreases in food intake and body weight gain as compared with vehicle-treated groups with a rank order of potency; Arc > VMH = LH. The present study provides the first direct evidence that the Arc is a primary site of satiety effect of leptin.

Evolution of chordate actin genes: evidence from genomic organization and amino acid sequences

The origin and evolutionary relationship of actin isoforms was investigated in chordates by isolating and characterizing two new ascidian cytoplasmic and muscle actin genes. The exon-intron organization and sequences of these genes were compared with those of other invertebrate and vertebrate actin genes. The gene HrCA1 encodes a cytoplasmic (nonmuscle)-type actin, whereas the MocuMA2 gene encodes an adult muscle-type actin. Our analysis of these genes showed that intron positions are conserved among the deuterostome actin genes. This suggests that actin gene families evolved from a single actin gene in the ancestral deuterostome. Sequence comparisons and molecular phylogenetic analyses also suggested a close relationship between the ascidian and vertebrate actin isoforms. It was also found that there are two distinct lineages of muscle actin isoforms in ascidians: the larval muscle and adult body-wall isoforms. The four muscle isoforms in vertebrates show a closer relationship to each other than to the ascidian muscle isoforms. Similarly, the two cytoplasmic isoforms in vertebrates show a closer relationship to each other than to the ascidian and echinoderm cytoplasmic isoforms. In contrast, the two types of ascidian muscle actin diverge from each other. The close relationship between the ascidian larval muscle actin and the vertebrate muscle isoforms was supported by both neighbor-joining and maximum parsimony analyses. These results suggest that the chordate ancestor had at least two muscle actin isoforms and that the vertebrate actin isoforms evolved after the separation of the vertebrates and urochordates.

Ascidian tyrosinase gene: its unique structure and expression in the developing brain

Tadpole larvae of ascidians have two sensory pigment cells in the brain. One is the otolith cell that functions as a gravity receptor, the other pigment cell is part of a primitive photosensory structure termed the ocellus. These sensory cells, like vertebrate pigment cells, contain membrane-bounded melanin granules and are considered to reflect a crucial position in the evolutionary process of this cell type. To investigate the molecular changes accompanying the evolution of pigment cells, we have isolated from Halocynthia roretzi a gene encoding tyrosinase, a key enzyme in melanin biosynthesis. The cDNA has an open reading frame (ORF) of 596 amino acids, which is 36-39% identical in amino acid sequence to vertebrate tyrosinases. In addition, the sequence analysis of both cDNA and genomic clones reveals an unusual organization of the tyrosinase gene, an extraordinary 3' untranslated region of the transcripts with significant homology to the coding sequence, and a single short intron in the sequence encoding a cytoplasmic domain. Expression of the gene is detected first in two pigment precursor cells positioned in the neural plate of early neurulae, and later in two melanin-containing pigment cells within the brain of late tailbud embryos. Its expression pattern correlates well with the appearance of tyrosinase enzyme activity in the developing brain. These results provide the first description of pigment cell differentiation at the molecular level in the ascidian embryo, and also will contribute to a better understanding of the evolution of chordate pigment cells.

Pathophysiological significance of the obese gene product, leptin, in ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)-lesioned rats: evidence for loss of its satiety effect in VMH-lesioned rats

To explore the pathophysiological significance of the obese (ob) gene product, leptin, in ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH)-lesioned rats, we examined the synthesis and secretion of leptin and its satiety effect in VMH-lesioned rats compared with those in sham-operated rats. Northern blot analysis revealed that ob gene expression is markedly augmented in the mesenteric and sc white adipose tissue, but remained unchanged in the epididymal white adipose tissue during the development of obesity in VMH-lesioned rats. Plasma leptin levels were relatively constant in sham-operated rats, but were elevated during the development of obesity in VMH-lesioned rats. In sham-operated rats, a single i.v. (1.0 mg/rat) or intracerebroventricular (2.0 micrograms/rat) injection of recombinant human leptin reduced food intake and body weight gain in sham-operated rats. By contrast, no significant effect on food intake or body weight gain was observed in VMH-lesioned rats. The present study provides evidence that VMH-lesioned rats overproduce leptin and increase its release but cannot respond to it and suggests that the loss of its satiety effect contributes to the development of obesity and the obesity-related phenotypes in VMH-lesioned rats.

[Lung volume reduction surgery for pulmonary emphysema--report of two cases]

Lung volume reduction surgery (LVR) was practiced in 2 male patients with pulmonary emphysema to improve pulmonary function. On admission, they complained of exertional dyspnea (Grade III of the Hugh-Jones dyspnea scale). Computed tomographic scan (band display) revealed emphysematous changes throughout both lung fields, especially in bilateral upper lobes. Nuclear lung perfusion scintigraphy showed markedly diminished blood flow in both upper lobes. The bilateral upper lobes of each patient were excised through median sternotomy using the linear stapling device. The staple lines were buttressed with bioabsorbable polyglycolic acid fabric. At 1 month after LVR, the forced expiratory volume in 1 second improved, respectively, from 0.51 L to 1.27 L (Case 1) and from 0.68 L to 0.85 L (case 2). In conclusion, LVR was useful to improve pulmonary function of the patients with pulmonary emphysema.

The ascidian genome contains another T-domain gene that is expressed in differentiating muscle and the tip of the tail of the embryo

The vertebrate Brachyury (T) gene is transiently expressed in nascent and migrating mesoderm, in the differentiating notochord, and in the tail bud, reflecting its independent functions. In contrast, the expression of an ascidian Brachyury gene (As-T) is restricted to differentiating notochord. The present study revealed that the genome of Halocynthia roretzi contains another T-domain gene (As-T2) which encodes a divergent T-domain protein. The transient expression of As-T2 was detected in the endoderm- and muscle-lineage blastomeres of the early embryo and the transcript was retained by involuting and differentiating muscle cells until it became undetectable by the mid-tailbud stage. In addition, As-T2 was expressed transiently in cells that form the tip of the newly forming tail. Interestingly, the combined pattern of spatial expression of As-T and As-T2 appears to correspond to that of a single vertebrate Brachyury gene.

Spatial expression of a forkhead homologue in the sea urchin embryo

Echinoderms are the sister group of the chordates and hemichordates within the deuterostomes. They lack a notochord or any structures obviously homologous with it. To gain insight into developmental mechanisms important in the origin and early evolution of chordates, we investigated sea urchin homologues of chordate genes that are implicated in notochord formation, viz. Brachyury and HNF-3 beta. Here we report the pattern of expression of a sea urchin orthologue of forkhead, Hphnf3 which is present as a single copy per haploid genome. An Hphnf3 transcript of 3.0 kb was first detected at the swimming blastula stage, accumulated maximally at the gastrula and prism-embryo stages, and decreased at the pluteus-larva stage. In situ hybridization signals were found in cells of the vegetal plate of the swimming blastula. During gastrulation, intense staining was evident in the cells surrounding the blastopore, whereas weak staining was detected in the invaginating archenteron. At the prism-embryo stage, the entire archenteron stained intensely; then, at pluteus stage, the larva staining decreased in intensity. The forkhead and Brachyury genes begin to be expressed almost simultaneously in sea urchin embryos, in the vegetal plate at the late blastula stage. After the onset of gastrulation, however, Hphnf3 is expressed in the posterior part of the archenteron, whereas the Brachyury orthologue, HpTa, is expressed in the secondary mesenchyme founder cells, which occupy the anterior tip of archenteron. Hphnf3 may contribute to specification of embryonic cells as archenteron, and the role of HpTa may be directed towards specification of mesodermal founder cells. Except for the basal character of expression in endoderm and endomesoderm, these transcription factors are clearly utilized differently in chordates.

[Difference in expression of epithelial adhesion molecules between primary and metastatic lesions in small-cell lung cancer]

One crucial step in tumor metastasis is detachment of cells from the primary lesion. This involves down-regulation of homophilic binding intercellular adhesion molecules. To determine whether this occurs in metastasis of human small-cell lung cancer to lymph nodes, we examined expression of E-cadherin, carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA), and neural cell adhesion molecule (NACM) on cells from patients with small-cell lung cancer, some cells were obtained from primary lesions and others from lymph-node metastases. Cells in all of the five lines from primary lesions expressed E-cadherin, unlike those in all of the five lines from lymph-node metastases. Cells in all of the five lines from primary lesions expressed CEA, as did those in only one of the five cell lines from lymph-node metastases. Cells in lines from primary and metastatic lesions did not differ in the expression of NCAM (4/5 positive). Expression of E-cadherin and of CEA were closely correlated. Because E-cadherin and CEA are involved in the binding of epithelial cells, these findings demonstrate that metastasis of small-cell lung cancer to lymph nodes is associated with a lack of the epithelial intercellular adhesion molecules E-cadherin and CEA. The expression of these molecules is involved in the metastasis of small-cell lung cancer to lymph nodes.

An intrinsic genetic program for autonomous differentiation of muscle cells in the ascidian embryo

The B-line presumptive muscle cells of ascidian embryos have extensive potential for self-differentiation dependent on determinants prelocalized in the myoplasm of fertilized eggs. Ascidian larval muscle cells therefore provide an experimental system with which to explore an intrinsic genetic program for autonomous specification of embryonic cells. Experiments with egg fragments suggested that maternal mRNAs are one of the components of muscle determinants. Expression of larval muscle actin genes begins as early as the 32-cell stage, prior to the developmental fate restriction of the cells. The timing of initiation of the actin gene expression proceeds the expression of an ascidian homologue of vertebrate MyoD by a few hours. Mutations in the proximal E-box of the 5' flanking region of the actin genes did not alter the promoter activity for muscle-specific expression of reporter gene. These results, together with results of deletion constructs of fusion genes, suggest that muscle determinants regulate directly, or indirectly via regulatory factors other than MyoD, the transcription of muscle-specific structural genes leading to the terminal differentiation.

[Role of reservoirs in intraarterial chemotherapy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma after hepatectomy]

We conducted a retrospective study on the role of reservoirs in intraarterial chemotherapy for recurrent hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) after hepatectomy. Ninety-two out of 170 patients with HCC who underwent hepatectomy from 1987 to 1992 in our institute were enrolled in this study. HCC recurred in 55 patients. A rate of good patency of the catheter of the reservoir at the time of recurrence was found in 72.7% of the patients. Transcatheter arterial embolization (TAE) for recurrent tumor was not feasible in 3 patients, because of occlusion of the hepatic artery (3.3% of patients with reservoir, 5.5% of patients with recurrence). Eleven patients were treated by intraarterial chemotherapy using the reservoir and TAE or TAE and PEIT (group R), and 11 patients were treated only with TAE and/or PEIT (group NR). Although there were no significant differences between the two groups in the number of recurrent lesions and operative procedures, tumor-free interval was shorter in group R. Cumulative survival rates after recurrence were not significant. The frequency of TAEs was lower in group R, which shortened the hospitalization for postrecurrence therapy. Thus, intraarterial chemotherapy using reservoir contributed to improvement of the quality of life of patients with recurrent HCC.

[Suppression of experimental autoimmune uveitis by energy restriction]

The effects of energy restriction on experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) were investigated. Seven-week-old, male Lewis rats were divided into three groups. Experiment A) A control group was fed ad libitum, a second group was given 50% calorie restricted food from the day of immunization, and a third group was given 50% calorie restricted food from 2 weeks before immunization. Experiment B) A control group was fed ad libitum, a second group was given 25% calorie restricted food from 4 weeks before immunization, and a third group was given 50% calorie restricted food 4 weeks before immunization. All rats were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein (IRBP). In experiment A), in the group given 50% calorie restricted food from 2 weeks before immunization, and in experiment B), in the group given 50% calorie restricted food from 4 weeks before immunization, the onset of EAU was significantly delayed, the clinical symptoms were lessened, and delayed hypersensitivity against IRBP was suppressed. Clinically and histologically, the severity was also low. In the group given 50% calorie restricted food from 4 weeks before immunization, the titer of anti-IRBP antibody was also significantly lower than in the control group.

Cleavage specificity of coxsackievirus 3C proteinase for peptide substrate (2): Importance of the P2 and P4 residues

Coxsackievirus 3C proteinase (3Cpro) cleaves between Gln and Gly, but additional amino acids are required to constitute a cleavage site. To investigate the additional sequence requirements, cleavages of the peptide substrate, and its derivatives were examined. Substitutions of each residue from the P2 to P5 positions showed the importance of the P2 Phe and P4 Ala for recognition by 3Cpro.

Molecular cloning of rat leptin receptor isoform complementary DNAs--identification of a missense mutation in Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats

We cloned the full-length rat leptin receptor (Ob-R) isoform complementary DNAs (cDNAs) and examined the gene expression in rats. We also identified a mutation in Ob-R in Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats. Three alternatively spliced isoforms (Ob-Ra, Ob-Rb, and Ob-Re) have been identified, which are closely related to the gp130 signal-transduction component of class I cytokine receptors. Rat Ob-Ra and Ob-Rb were single transmembrane proteins, which differ in the C-terminal amino acid sequences. On the other hand, Ob-Re had no transmembrane domain and was a soluble form of the receptor. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction analysis revealed that Ob-R isoform messenger RNAs (mRNAs) are expressed in a wide variety of rat tissues in tissue-specific manners. A missense mutation (an A to C conversion at nucleotide position 806) was found in the extracellular domain of all the isoforms in Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats, which resulted in an amino acid change from Gln to Pro at + 269 (the Gln269Pro mutation). These Ob-R isoform mRNAs were present in the brain from Zucker fatty (fa/fa) rats at comparable amounts to those in their lean littermates. The present study provides new insight into the molecular mechanisms for Ob-R.

Mitochondrial rDNA phylogeny of the asteroidea suggests the primitiveness of the paxillosida

Asteroids display four distinct modes of developmental patterns: the indirect mode, the nonbrachiolarian mode, the direct mode, and the mode with a barrel-shaped larva. Among them the former two are planktotrophic, whereas the latter two are lecithotrophic. The direct mode and the mode with a barrel-shaped larva are thought to have evolved from the more primitive planktotrophic mode, the nonbrachiolarian and the indirect mode, respectively. However, whether the nonbrachiolarian mode or the indirect mode is the more primitive in asteroids is unresolved, despite discussion since early this century. A key aspect of this problem is the phylogenetic status of paxillosidans, since the nonbrachiolarian mode and the mode with a barrel-shaped larva are seen only in paxillosidans. To resolve this problem, we performed a molecular phylogenetic study of asteroids, based on the nucleotide sequences of mitochondrial rDNAs. Phylogenetic trees support a close relationship between the Asterinidae and the Solasteridae. We suggest that the paxillosidans are not a monophyletic group; rather, the Luidiidae (one family of Paxillosida) is a sister group to the rest of the asteroids. Although some aspects of our results contradict a recent study by Lafay et al. (1995, Syst. Biol. 44: 190-208) based on 28S rRNA sequences, both studies agree on a paraphyletic nature for the paxillosidans. We conclude that characters shared by paxillosidans are primitive; hence the primitive mode of development in asteroids is the nonbrachiolarian mode.

Posterior end mark, a novel maternal gene encoding a localized factor in the ascidian embryo

Ascidian embryogenesis is regarded as a typical ‘mosaic’ type. Recent studies have provided convincing evidence that components of the posterior-vegetal cytoplasm of fertilized eggs are responsible for establishment of the anteroposterior axis of the embryo. We report here isolation and characterization of a novel maternal gene, posterior end mark (pem). After fertilization, the pem transcript is concentrated in the posterior-vegetal cytoplasm of the egg and later marks the posterior end of developing ascidian embryos. Despite its conspicuous localization pattern, the predicted PEM protein shows no significant homology to known proteins. Overexpression of this gene by microinjection of synthesized pem mRNA into fertilized eggs results in development of tadpole larvae with deficiency of the anteriormost adhesive organ, dorsal brain and sensory pigment-cells. Lineage tracing analysis revealed that the anterior epidermis and dorsal neuronal cells were translocated posteriorly into the tail region, suggesting that this gene plays a role in establishment of anterior and dorsal patterning of the embryo. The ascidian tadpole is regarded as a prototype of vertebrates, implying a similar function of pem in vertebrate embryogenesis.

An ascidian homologue of vertebrate BMPs-5-8 is expressed in the midline of the anterior neuroectoderm and in the midline of the ventral epidermis of the embryo

The ascidian tadpole larva is thought to be the prototype for the ancestral chordate. Although ascidians show a highly determinate mode of development, recent studies suggest significant roles of cell-cell interaction during embryogenesis. To elucidate the signaling molecules responsible for the cellular interaction, we investigated an ascidian homologue of the transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta) superfamily. HrBMPa is an ascidian member of the 60A subclass of the BMP subfamily. Molecular phylogenetic analysis suggested that HrBMPa branched prior to further divergence of vertebrate BMPs-5-8. The zygotic expression of HrBMPa was initiated around gastrulation. HrBMPa transcripts were first evident in precursor cells of the spinal cord, notochord, epidermis and nervous system, although signals in the first two regions quickly disappeared. In neurulae and early tailbud embryos, transcripts were evident in the adhesive organ, midline of the anterior dorsal neuroectoderm and midline of both ventral and dorsal ectoderm, suggesting that HrBMPa plays a major role in neuroectodermal cell differentiation during embryogenesis. This HrBMPa expression profile resembled that of Xenopus BMP-7, implying a primordial function of BMP-7 among vertebrate BMPs-5-8.