Structural determination of monosialyl trisaccharides obtained from caprine colostrum

Acidic oligosaccharides were separated by dialysis, ion-exchange, preparative paper and gel chromatography from caprine colostrum. Four sialyl trisaccharides were characterized by 1H-NMR spectrometry as follows: alpha-N-acetylneuraminyl-(2,6)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4)-2-N-acetami do-2 -deoxy-D-glucopyranose (Neu5Ac alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4GlcNAc), alpha-N-acetylneuraminyl-(2,3)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4)-D-glucopyra nose (Neu5Ac alpha 2-3Gal beta-1-4Glc), alpha-N-acetylneuraminyl-(2,6)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4)-D-glucopyra nose (Neu5Ac alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4Glc) and alpha-N-glycolylneuraminyl-(2,6)-beta-D-galactopyranosyl-(1,4)-D -glucopyranose (Neu5Gc alpha 2-6Gal beta 1-4Glc).

Changes in contrast enhancement of hepatocellular carcinoma and liver: effect of temporary occlusion of a hepatic vein evaluated with spiral CT

PURPOSE

To assess the hemodynamics of the liver and of hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs) with hepatic vein occlusion.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Selected hepatic veins were temporarily occluded with a balloon catheter in 21 patients with 28 nontreated nodular HCCs. Computed tomographic (CT) arteriography was performed without and with temporary occlusion of a hepatic vein that drained the blood from segmental liver parenchyma containing tumor by using a unified spiral CT and angiography system. The degree of enhancement and change in appearance of the HCC in each condition were compared.

RESULTS

All HCCs were well-enhanced, almost round masses at CT arteriography. At CT arteriography with hepatic vein occlusion, however, HCCs were changed as follows: (a) the absolute attenuation of the HCC was decreased in 27 (96%) of 28 tumors compared with that at CT arteriography without hepatic vein occlusion, while attenuation of the surrounding liver parenchyma was increased; (b) the size of the highly enhanced area in HCC became smaller in 17 (61%) tumors (of these, two disappeared); and (c) the shape was changed in 12 (43%) tumors.

CONCLUSION

Hepatic vein occlusion resulted in reciprocal hemodynamic changes in the liver parenchyma relative to HCCs: Enhancement of the liver increases and that of HCCs decreases.

Identification of 2'-fucosyllactose in milk of the crabeater seal (Lobodon carcinophagus)

1. An oligosaccharide was isolated from extracts of crabeater seal milk by preparative paper chromatography. 2. The saccharide was identified as Fuc alpha 1-2Ga1 beta 1-4G1c by 1H-NMR spectroscopy. 3. This work represents the first identification of an oligosaccharide, other than lactose, in the milk of a pinniped.

The pharmacologic profile of 606A, a novel angiotensin II receptor antagonist

The pharmacologic profile of a novel angiotensin I (AT1) receptor antagonist 606A was studied in various in vitro and in vivo preparations. The 606A showed a high affinity at AT1 receptors [inhibition constant (Ki), 12.8 +/- 0.4 nM] in rabbit adrenal cortical membrane and a low affinity to AT2 receptors (Ki, > 1 mM) in bovine cerebellar membrane, indicating potent and selective AT1 properties. In the guinea pig aorta, 606A reduced the maximal angiotensin II-induced contraction (pD'2, 9.06 +/- 0.04), whereas EXP3174 showed suppression of the maximum response and a shift to the right of the concentration-response curve at lower and higher concentrations, respectively (conventionally calculated pd'2, 8.61 +/- 0.23). The 606A had no effects on KC1-, norepinephrine-, serotonin-, and endothelin-1-induced contractions or any agonist activities. In anesthetized dogs, 606A inhibited the angiotensin II-induced pressor response 35 times more potently than losartan. In renal hypertensive rats and spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRs), 606A decreased systolic blood pressure 10 and 3 times more potently than losartan, respectively, without any chronotropic effects. By repeated administration of 606A to SHRs for 2 weeks, an augmentation of the hypotensive effect was observed No rebound phenomena occurred after discontinuation. These results indicate the 606A is a potent AT1-selective insurmountable angiotensin II receptor antagonist having more potent angiotensin II receptor antagonistic and hypotensive effects than losartan in in vivo models. 606A is suggested to be a useful agent for the treatment of patients with hypertension.

Cloning, functional expression and tissue distribution of rabbit alpha1a-adrenoceptor

A cDNA clone, which has an open reading frame of 1398 nucleotides encoding a 466-amino-acid peptide, has been isolated from rabbit liver cDNA library. Compared with the peptide sequence, it shows high homology to alpha1a adrenoceptors of human, bovine and rat. We expressed this clone in COS-7 and investigated the pharmacological properties, revealing similarity to those of human alpha1a adrenoceptors. Competitive RT/PCR has detected the mRNA in variety of rabbit tissues, especially abundantly in liver, vas deferens, brain, and aorta, but not in heart.

Immunocytochemical characterization of malignant schwannoma-derived cells in culture

We recently demonstrated that cultured malignant schwannoma (MS)-derived cells can support human skin mast cell (HSMC) survival in vitro. Cultured HSMCs were spindleshaped in close contract with MS-derived cells, suggesting cell to cell interaction. To elucidate the mechanism of the enhanced HSMC survival in coculture with MS-derived cells and the cellular interactions between HSMC and MS-derived cells, we examined the immunocytochemical characteristics of MS-derived cells using immunofluorescence. Morphologically, cultured MS-derived cells were polygonal with abundant cytoplasm and resembled perineurial cells. The cultured cells immunoreacted positively with vimentin, fibronectin, laminin and collagen IV, but negatively with anti-S100 protein, anti-neuron specific enolase, and anti-neurofilament (68 kd, 145 kd, 200 kd) antibodies. MS-derived cells were distinct from Schwann cells in their lack of S100 protein and also distinguishable from endoneurial fibroblasts that produce fibronectin, but never expressed laminin or collagen IV. MS-derived cells thus possess the characteristics of perineurial cells in their general morphology and their immunocytochemical properties. Immunoreactivity for substance P (SP) and neurokinin A (NKA) was found in the cytoplasm of these cells, particularly around the nuclei. Vasoactive intestinal peptide, somatostatin, and calcitonin gene related peptide were negative. From these findings, we characterized the MS-derived cell's in vitro properties and concluded that it is similar to a perineurial cell. The extracellular matrix protein, laminin, and fibronectin expressed in the MS-derived cell might contribute to HSMC survival and morphology through cell to matrix adhesion. Neuropeptides such as SP and NKA, expressed in the MS-derived cell, might play some role in enhanced HSMC survival in vitro.

Protective effect of l-cis-diltiazem on hypercontracture of rat myocytes induced by veratridine

The protective effect of l-cis-diltiazem, the stereoisomer of d-cis-diltiazem, was studied against the veratridine-induced hypercontracture of rat myocytes. Veratridine increased both [Na+]i and [Ca2+]i, but did not cause hypercontracture in the absence of extracellular Ca2+. Both l-cis-diltiazem (0.1-10 microM) and d-cis-diltiazem (10-30 microM) inhibited the hypercontracture and the increase in [Ca2+]i in a concentration-dependent manner. However, l-cis-diltiazem did not exert a negative inotropic effect in K+ (20 mM)-depolarized rat papillary muscles even at a dose of 10 microM. As seen in the case of tetrodotoxin, l-cis-diltiazem and d-cis-diltiazem also suppressed the increase in [Na+]i. The results show that l-cis-diltiazem prevents the veratridine-induced hypercontracture of myocytes by suppression of the [Ca2+]i increase. The attenuation of the [Ca2+]i increase by l-cis-diltiazem was not dependent on inhibition of Ca2+ channels, but was partly due to inhibition of excessive Na+ entry via veratridine-modified Na+ channels.

Effect of KMD-3213, an alpha 1a-adrenoceptor-selective antagonist, on the contractions of rabbit prostate and rabbit and rat aorta

KMD-3213, (-)-(R)-1-(3-hydroxypropyl)-5-[2-[[2-[2-(2,2,2-trifluoroethoxy) phenoxy]ethyl]amino]propyl]indoline-7-carboxamide, a newly synthesized alpha 1-adrenoceptor antagonist, has been shown to have potent action toward, and to be selective for human cloned and native alpha 1-adrenoceptors. In the present study, we characterized the inhibitory effect of KMD-3213 on the phenylephrine (alpha 1-adrenoceptor-selective agonist)-induced contraction of rabbit prostate, rabbit thoracic aorta and rat thoracic aorta to functionally confirm the tissue selectivity of KMD-3213. The mean pA2 value for KMD-3213 for the inhibition of the rabbit prostatic contraction was 10.05, whereas the values for the rabbit and rat aortic contractions were 9.36 and 8.13, respectively. The order of mean pA2 values for the inhibition of the rabbit prostatic contraction was KMD-3213 > or = tamsulosin >> prazosin, whereas that for the rabbit and rat aortic contractions was tamsulosin > KMD-3213 > prazosin and tamsulosin > or = prazosin >> KMD-3213, respectively. KMD-3213 produced a sigmoidal inhibition curve for single-dose phenylephrine-induced contractions of rabbit prostate, whereas it produced a non-sigmoidal curve for that of rabbit aorta. KMD-3213 had no effect on isoproterenol-induced chronotropic action in guinea-pig atria, and 5-hydroxytryptamine-, histamine- and acetylcholine-mediated contractions of rabbit aorta. These results indicate that the potency of the inhibitory activity of KMD-3213 depends on the tissue subtype expression and that KMD-3213 preferentially antagonizes prostatic contraction.

A novel benzodiazepine inverse agonist, S-8510, as a cognitive enhancer

1. Pharmacological actions of a novel benzodiazepine receptor ligand, S-8510 (2-(3-isoxazolyl)-3,6,7,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]pyrano+ ++[4,3-b] pyridine monophosphate monohydrate), were examined in in vitro and in vivo studies. 2. S-8510 was characterized as a partial inverse agonist with a modest GABA ratio and low efficacy. 3. S-8510 ameliorated memory impairment induced by cholinergic deficit in the water maze paradigm of Wistar rats. 4. S-8510 augmented LTP of the Schaffer collateral/commissural fiber-CA1 synapses in the hippocampal slice preparations of SD rat. 5. S-8510 increased the extracellular levels of acetylcholine and noradrenaline in the hippocampus of Wistar rat. 6. S-8510 selectively potentiated pentylenetetrazol-induced convulsion without affecting minimal electroconvulsive shock- or strychnine-induced convulsion in ddY mice. 7. S-8510 failed to induce any sign of anxiety in the Wistar rat pro-conflict test. 8. S-8510 showed antidepressant-like pharmacological actions in ddY mice. 9. These results suggest that S-8510 can be used as a therapeutic drug for senile dementia, including Alzheimer's disease with little risk for inducing anxiety or convulsion.

Homozygous deletion mutations in the plectin gene (PLEC1) in patients with epidermolysis bullosa simplex associated with late-onset muscular dystrophy

In a distinct autosomal recessive variant of epidermolysis bullosa, EB-MD, life-long skin blistering is associated with late-onset muscular dystrophy of unknown etiology. Electron microscopy of these patients' skin suggests that tissue separation occurs intracellularly at the level of the hemidesmosomal inner plaque, which contains plectin, a high molecular weight cytoskeletal associated protein, also expressed in the sarcolemma of the muscle. In this study, we report two patients with EB-MD, each with a homozygous deletion mutation in the plectin gene, PLEC1. In the first case, the proband and her similarly affected sister had a homozygous 9 bp deletion mutation, designated as 2719de19, which resulted in elimination of three amino acids, QEA, in a sequence of 23 amino acids entirely conserved between the mouse and human sequences. The proband in the second family demonstrated a single nucleotide deletion at position 5866, designated as 5866delC, which resulted in frameshift and a premature termination codon for translation 16 bp downstream from the site of deletion. The absence of plectin in the hemidesmosomes, as reflected by negative immunofluorescence with an anti-plectin antibody (HD-1), associated with fragility of basal keratinocytes, implicates plectin as critical for binding of intermediate keratin filament network to hemidesmosomal complexes. The function of plectin as a putative attachment protein also in the muscle would explain the clinical phenotype consisting of cutaneous fragility and muscular dystrophy in EB-MD.

Craniofacial structure of Japanese and European-American adults with normal occlusions and well-balanced faces

The purpose of this study is to compare two groups of adults from different races who were selected on the basis of having normal ("ideal") occlusions and well-balanced faces. The lateral cephalometric radiographs of 54 Japanese adults (26 men and 28 women) were compared with a sample of 125 adults (44 men and 81 women) of European-American ancestry. The samples were chosen by orthodontists of the same racial background as the sample selected. Each lateral cephalogram was traced and digitized, and differences between cephalometric measurements between groups were analyzed with completely randomized t tests. In comparison to the European-American sample, the Japanese sample, in general, was smaller in anteroposterior facial dimensions and proportionately larger in vertical facial dimensions. The facial axis angle was more vertical in Japanese subjects, indicating a more downward direction of facial development. On average, the subjects in the Japanese sample were more protrusive dentally, with a more acute nasolabial angle and a greater tendency toward bilabial protrusion. These differences, evident even in groups with so-called "well-balanced faces", indicate that fundamental variation exists in the craniofacial structure of Japanese and European-Americans. The results of this study support the premise that a single standard of facial esthetics is not appropriate for application to diverse racial and ethnic groups.

Expression of two different cholecystokinin receptors in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA from rabbit pancreas and rat hippocampus

Electrophysiological responses to cholecystokinin (CCK) were studied in Xenopus oocytes injected with mRNA from rabbit pancreas or rat hippocampus. CCK-octapeptide(26-33) (sulfated form) (CCK-8) elicited inward currents in both groups. In oocytes injected with pancreatic mRNA, CCK-8-induced currents were composed of two components, fast and slow. However, in oocytes injected with hippocampal mRNA, fast currents disappeared. The potency ranking of the agonists and the antagonist indicated that the receptors expressed by pancreatic and hippocampal mRNA were CCKA- and CCKB-subtypes, respectively. Extracellular application of EGTA had little effect on the CCKB-mediated response, but attenuated the CCKA-mediated one. Intracellular injection of EGTA abolished the CCKB-mediated response, whereas small smooth currents remained in oocytes expressing the CCKA-receptor. The reversal potentials of the CCKA- and CCKB-receptor-mediated responses were consistent with that for CI- currents. However, the reversal potential of the small smooth currents in EGTA-loaded oocytes expressing the CCKA-receptors was close to that for a non-selective cation channel. These results suggest that CCK-8 activates at least two different channels, a Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channel and a non-selective cation channel in oocytes expressing the CCKA-receptor, while the CCKB-receptor elicits only a Ca(2+)-dependent Cl- channel.

Acute occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta: report of a case

This report describes the unusual case of an acute occlusion of the descending thoracic aorta in a 52-year-old woman. The patient underwent successful extraanatomical bypass with intraoperative hemodialysis.

Physicochemical characterization of bisphosphonic carboxyfluorescein for osteotropic drug delivery

Disodium (fluorescein-6-carbonyloxy)acetoaminomethylene bisphosphonate (CF-BP), a prodrug of 6-carboxy-fluorescein, is efficiently absorbed by the skeleton where it hydrolyses to carboxyfluorescein. An osteotropic drug-delivery system based on this bisphosphonic prodrug has been developed as a novel method for site-specific and controlled delivery of drugs to the bone. In this study the physicochemical properties of the prodrug have been characterized by investigating the affinity of CF-BP for hydroxyapatite and the hydrolysis of the compound to carboxyfluorescein. In the binding study, CF-BP bound very rapidly to hydroxyapatite without degradation and carboxyfluorescein was subsequently gradually released by hydrolysis of bound CF-BP. Hydrolysis of CF-BP in buffer solutions followed pseudo-first-order kinetics, and quantitative regeneration of carboxyfluorescein was observed. In addition, regeneration of carboxyfluorescein from CF-BP was accelerated in the presence of fresh rat plasma. These results suggest that CF-BP has the physicochemical properties required for site-specific and controlled delivery of carboxyfluorescein to bones.

Leukemoid reaction in epidermal squamous cell carcinoma

There have been no previous concrete reports of leukemoid reactions associated with squamous cell carcinoma originating in cutaneous tissue. Here we report a case of epidermal squamous cell carcinoma of the sacral region and an associated leukemoid reaction. The tumor invaded deeply and destroyed both the sacrum and coccyx. The white blood cell count was greater than 20,000/mm3. After resection of the tumor, white blood cells transiently decreased, but did not fall under 10,000/mm3. Post-operative infection by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus and Bacteroides caccae caused sepsis and further elevation of the leukocytes to greater than 50,000/mm3. The leukemoid reaction in the case appeared to have been caused initially by direct invasion of bone by epidermal squamous cell carcinoma and later by severe infection.

Antisense evidence for two functionally active forms of nitric oxide synthase in brain microvascular endothelium

Other workers have identified two constitutive forms of NOS in endothelial cells: endothelial or eNOS and neuronal or nNOS. The present study tests the functional significance of these NOS in brain surface arterioles of mice. Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) were injected into the cerebral ventricles. Anti eNOS and anti nNOS were tested separately and in combination. Each antisense reduced the dilation produced by topical acetylcholine (ACh) or by tetrahydrobiopterin (THBP). These are endothelium dependent, NOS dependent dilators, with the THBP being a cofactor for NOS. The endothelium derived mediator actually causing the dilation is EDRF(ACh). When both antisenses were given together there was an additive effect which approached 100% inhibition. Neither sense nor mismatched (scrambled) ODN inhibited either ACh or THBP. Moreover, anti eNOS did not inhibit dilation by bradykinin (endothelium dependent but not NOS dependent) or by sodium nitroprusside (endothelium independent). The data strongly support the conclusion that both eNOS and nNOS are functionally important in the endothelium of mouse pial arterioles. Each isoform of NOS appears to contribute significantly to the synthesis of basally released (THBP triggered) and agonist (ACh) released EDRFACh.

Synthesis and structure--activity relationships of fused imidazopyridines: a new series of benzodiazepine receptor ligands

2-Arylimidazo[4,5-c]quinolines and analogous fused imidazopyridines were synthesized and evaluated as benzodiazepine receptor ligands. Affinity to the receptors was greatly affected by the bulkiness of the aryl group at the 2-position, compared to the pyrazoloquinolines such as CGS-9896. Derivatives with an isoxazole moiety at the 2-position showed high binding affinity and in vivo activity. In the imidazo[4,5-c]quinoline series, substitution at the 6-position decreased or abolished activity. Most derivatives with an unsubstituted isoxazolyl group showed antagonist or inverse agonist activity except for the 7-halo analogues, which exhibited agonist activity. On the other hand, 5-methylisoxazol-3-yl or 3-methylisoxazol-5-yl derivatives generally exhibited agonist activity. A similar substitution effect on the isoxazole moiety was observed in the imidazopyridines fused with a nonaromatic ring. From the detailed pharmacological evaluation, S-8510, 2-(3-isoxazolyl)-3,6,7,9-tetrahydroimidazo[4,5-d]pyrano++ +[4,3-b]pyridine monophosphate, possessing weak inverse agonist activity was selected as a therapeutic candidate for the treatment of some symptoms of senile dementia.

Clinical evaluation of the efficacy of an antithrombin agent "Argatroban" combined with exercise therapy on increase of the skeletal muscle blood flow

Argatroban has selective antithrombin activity and widely used for treatment of ASO. In this study we investigated vasodilating activity of Argatroban besides antithrombin activity in ASO patients. Three patients who have undergone F-P bypasses previously which were all occluded received 10 mg or 20 mg of Argatroban per day intravenously for 4 weeks. Skin temperature were measured before and after administration of Argatroban at the point of 1, 2, 4 weeks which increased 2.3-6.0 degrees C after administration of Argatroban. Subjective symptoms were also improved and these patients became to be able to walk 1.5-3.3 km. These patients were also given PGE, intravenously, however, temperature increase was less than 1.1 degrees C. These results showed that Argatroban has not only antithrombin activity but also significant vasodilating activity resulting in increase of skeletal muscle blood flow.

Details of retropositional genome dynamics that provide a rationale for a generic division: the distinct branching of all the pacific salmon and trout (Oncorhynchus) from the Atlantic salmon and trout (Salmo)

Salmonid species contain numerous short interspersed repetitive elements (SINEs), known collectively as the HpaI family, in their genomes. Amplification and successive integration of individual SINEs into the genomes have occurred during the evolution of salmonids. We reported previously a strategy for determining the phylogenetic relationships among the Pacific salmonids in which these SINEs were used as temporal landmarks of evolution. Here, we provide evidence for extensive genomic rearrangements that involved retropositions and deletions in a common ancestor of all the Pacific salmon and trout. Our results provide genetic support for the recent phylogenetic reassignment of steelhead and related species from the genus Salmo to the genus Oncorhynchus. Several other informative loci identified by insertions of HpaI SINEs have been isolated, and previously proposed branching orders of the Oncorhynchus species have been confirmed. The authenticity of our phylogenetic tree is supported both by the isolation of more than two informative loci per branching point and by the congruence of all our data, which suggest that the period between successive speciations was sufficiently long for each SINE that had been amplified in the original species to become fixed in all individuals of that species.

[A case report of St. Jude medical aortic valve prosthesis thrombosis]

We report a case of successful semi-emergent redo aortic valve replacement for thrombosed prosthetic valve. Patient was a 59-year-old male who had undergone aortic valve replacement of St. Jude Medical prosthetic valve and open mitral commissurotomy 14 years ago. He suffered from pneumonia with hemosputum and admitted a neighbor hospital. But he was reffered to our medical center because of progressing dyspnea. We found the immobility of one of the leaflets of the prosthetic valve by cinefuluoroscopy. He was also diagnosed as prosthetic valve thrombosis and mitral valve restenosis using ultrasonic echocardiography. The thrombi were developed on the hinge of one of the leaflets, and they might be formed during the time he had got inappropriate anticoagulation therapy at the former hospital. We emphasise the importance of strict anticoagulation control for the patients valve replaced.

Protein phylogeny of translation elongation factor EF-1 alpha suggests microsporidians are extremely ancient eukaryotes

Partial regions of the mRNA encoding a major part of translation elongation factor 1 alpha (EF-1 alpha) from a mitochondrion-lacking protozoan, Glugea plecoglossi, that belongs to microsporidians, were amplified by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and their primary structures were analyzed. The deduced amino acid sequence was highly divergent from typical EF-1 alpha's of eukaryotes, although it clearly showed a eukaryotic feature when aligned with homologs of the three primary kingdoms. Maximum likelihood (ML) analyses on the basis of six different stochastic models of amino acid substitutions and a maximum parsimony (MP) analysis consistently suggest that among eukaryotic species being analyzed, G. plecoglossi is likely to represent the earliest offshoot of eukaryotes. Microsporidians might be the extremely ancient eukaryotes which have diverged before an occurrence of mitochondrial symbiosis.