Neurochemical profiles in cerebrospinal fluid of stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate stroke-prone spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHRSP) neurochemically by determining the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of acetylcholine (ACh), norepinephrine (NE) and serotonin (5-HT) as an index of central neuronal activity. The CSF ACh levels of 15- to 20-week-old SHRSP were significantly lower than those of age-matched Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) both under the urethane/alpha-chloralose anesthesia and in freely moving conditions. The difference in the CSF ACh levels between SHRSP and WKY was more marked at 30-40 weeks. Sustained changes were not observed in the CSF NE and 5-HT levels. Thus, the progressive dysfunction in the central cholinergic system may characterize the pathophysiological state of this animal model with cerebral lesions caused by continuous high blood pressure.

cDNA cloning and chromosomal mapping of human N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V+

Human N-acetylglucosaminyltransferase V (GnT-V, EC 2.4.1.155) cDNA was isolated from a human fetal liver cDNA library. Oligonucleotide primers for polymerase chain reaction were designed according to the amino acid sequence of human GnT-V. Screening for the cDNA was carried out by plaque hybridization using PCR products of about 500 bp. Human GnT-V has 741 amino acids and six putative N-glycosylation sites. The homology to rat GnT-V is 88% at the nucleotide level and is 97% at the amino acid level, and there is one amino acid insertion. Using the cDNA clones as probe, five overlapping genomic clones have been isolated from a human phagemid DNA library. The GnT-V gene has been mapped to chromosome 2q21 using fluorescence in situ hybridization.

Modulation by metabotropic glutamate receptor of long-term potentiation of population spikes in the dentate gyrus in vivo

The effect of 2-amino-3-phosphonopropionate (AP3), a metabotropic glutamate receptor antagonist, on long-term potentiation (LTP) of evoked potentials in the dentate gyrus was investigated using anesthetized rats. Intracerebroventricular injection of AP3 (50 nmol) prior to application of tetanic stimulation did not significantly affect LTP induced by 100-pulse, 100-Hz tetanus, but inhibited the formation of LTP by weaker tetanus (30 pulses at 60 Hz). When AP3 was injected after tetanus, it did not significantly affect the established LTP. These results suggest that metabotropic glutamate receptors play a role in facilitation of the formation of LTP in the dentate gyrus in vivo.

The reversible DNA-alkylating activity of duocarmycin and its analogues

Intact drugs with spirocyclopropylhexadienone moieties can be regenerated from the covalent DNA adducts induced by antitumor antibiotics duocarmycin (DUM) A, SA and some DUMA analogues in neutral aqueous solution. We detected the reversible nature of DUMs by determination of the antimicrobial activity and cytotoxicity of DUM-DNA adducts. All of the adducts selectively inhibited the growth of a sensitive strain of Bacillus but not that of the wild type strain, a property of parent DUM and its analogues. Most of the DNA adducts were also cytotoxic to HeLa S3. These results suggested that active drugs can be released from their covalent DNA adducts under these biological assay conditions. Regeneration of intact drugs was quantitatively analyzed by HPLC and the amount of free drug released from DNA adducts revealed that the rate and efficiency of this reversal were dependent on structural variables among the drugs. The differences in rates of reversibility were correlated with the biological activity of DUMs. The effect of pH, temperature and salt concentration on the regeneration of drugs from their DNA adducts suggest a catalytic role of double-helical DNA on the reversal pathway.

Study on the IL-5 expression in allergic nasal mucosa

An immunohistological study was performed on allergic and nonallergic nasal mucosa to examine interleukin-5 (IL-5) expression. Many cells in the superficial portion of lamina propria expressed IL-5 in allergic nasal mucosa, whereas few cells expressed IL-5 in nonallergic mucosa. Furthermore, it was suggested by immunohistological double staining that CD45RO-positive cells, EG2-positive cells and metachromasia-positive cells expressed IL-5 in allergic nasal mucosa.

Physicochemical and antibacterial properties of lactoferrin and its hydrolysate produced by heat treatment at acidic pH

In order to apply functionally active lactoferrin (Lf) to food products, the effect of pH on the heat stability of Lf was studied. Lf was easily denatured to an insoluble state by heat treatment under neutral or alkaline conditions, above pH 6. In contrast, it remained soluble after heat treatment under acidic conditions at pH 2 to 5, and the HPLC pattern of Lf heat-treated at pH 4 at 100 degrees C for 5 min was the same as that of native Lf. Lf was found to be very thermostable at pH 4, and could be pasteurized or sterilized without any significant loss of its physicochemical properties. Lf was hydrolyzed by heat treatment at pH 2 to 3 at above 100 degrees C, and its iron binding capacity and antigenicity were lost. But the antibacterial activity of the hydrolysate was found to be much stronger than that of native Lf. The antibacterial component of Lf hydrolysate produced by heat treatment at acidic pH was verified to be a peptide including the sequence of residues 1-54 from the N-terminal end of the bovine Lf molecule.

[Significance of lymph nodes dissection of lung cancer treatment]

From 1950 to 1991, 1,221 lung cancer cases were treated with surgery in Tokyo Medical College Hospital. The 5-year survival rate was achieved in 70.1% for stage I, 49.5% for stage II, 17.0% for stage III A, 0% for stage III B and 8.3% for stage IV respectively. Considering for the survival rate with pN factor in 753 resected cases, the 5-year survival rate of N0, N1, N2 and N3 cases was 65.8%, 38.1%, 16.3% and 0% respectively. In these pN2 group, the 5-year survival rate of single mediastinal lymph node metastasis cases was 35.5%, while that of multiple mediastinal lymph node metastasized cases was 6.9%. The relationship between lymph node metastasis and DNA ploidy pattern was also discussed. The most of N0 cases showed diploid pattern, while N2 cases indicated aneuploid pattern. A mediastinal lymph node dissection of pN2 lung cancer cases may be effective to improve the prognosis of a kind of cases showing biologically low malignant lung cancer.

Growth in methylcellulose of human mast cells in hematopoietic colonies stimulated by steel factor, a c-kit ligand

We examined the effect of Steel factor (SLF) on the development of human mast cells in hematopoietic colonies from cord blood mononuclear cells in methylcellulose culture. When cord blood cells were cultured for 3 weeks, SLF increased the cellular tryptase levels detected in total cultured cells. It also stimulated the formation of small-cell colonies consisting mainly of polymorphonuclear granulocytes and immature blastoid cells in a concentration-dependent manner but not the formation of colonies consisting of large macrophagic cells. A low percentage of tryptase-positive mast-cell-like cells was found in 39 out of 100 granulocyte/blastoid cell colonies. Four of the 100 colonies contained 10-20% tryptase-positive cells, but we failed to observe colonies consisting of > 20% of tryptase-positive cells. These results suggest that the effect of SLF on mast cell growth is brought on by stimulating the growth of primitive hematopoietic progenitors.

[Lectin-binding patterns of the olfactory receptors (olfactory epithelium, vomeronasal organ and septal olfactory organ of Masera) in the rat]

Lectin-binding patterns of the three olfactory receptors, olfactory epithelium (OE), vomeronasal organ (VNO) and septal olfactory organ of Masera (MO), and their associated glands, Bowman's gland (BG) of the OE, Jacobson's gland (JG) of the VNO, and anonymous gland (MG) of the MO were examined in the rat with 21 biotinylated lectins. On the free surface of the receptors, all lectins showed moderate to intense staining in at least one of receptors, although PHA-E in the VNO, BSL II and PNA in the MO, and DBA, BSL I, VVA, SJA, PSA and LCA in both the OE and the MO showed no staining. In the soma of receptor neurons, 16 lectins showed staining in at least one of receptors, although SJA showed no staining in both the OE and the MO, and BSL I showed staining in a small number of cells in these receptors. In the associated glands, 15 lectins showed staining in at least one of them, although PNA in the JG, LEL in the MG, and s-WGA and DBA in both the BG and the MG showed no staining. These findings suggest that the VNO takes charge of an olfactory discrimination different from that of the OE and MO, although the latter two take charge of that similar to each other.

[CSF dynamics in the patients with syringomyelia associated with Chiari's malformation--quantitative analysis on cine MRI]

In a series of 12 patients with syringomyelia associated with Chiari's malformation, the authors quantitatively analyzed cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) dynamics in the subarachnoid space of the craniospinal junction, using cine MRI combined with pre-saturation method. In most of subjects, cine MRI revealed (1) decreased or increased maximum velocity of CSF in the caudal direction and (2) disturbed CSF motion in the caudal direction (delayed % cardiac cycle) in the craniospinal junction, strongly suggesting disturbed CSF dynamics in the craniospinal junction because of the tonsilar herniation. Of 12 subjects, 8 patients underwent foramen magnum decompression and 4 underwent syringo-subarachnoid shunt (SS shunt). In the patients who showed marked collapse of syrinx after foramen magnum decompression, follow-up cine MRI revealed the normalization of % cardiac cycle, representing postoperative improvement of CSF dynamics in the craniospinal junction. On the other hand, % cardiac cycle did not improve significantly in the patients who did not show marked collapse of the syrinx or suffered from meningitis after surgery. Significant changes were not observed in the patients who underwent SS shunt. In summary, these results suggested that cine MRI combined with pre-saturation method could detect the pathophysiological changes and evaluate the efficacy of the surgery, especially foramen magnum decompression, in the patients with syringomyelia associated with Chiari's malformation.

The effect of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) on the survival of septal neurons transplanted into the third ventricle in rats

Effects of short-term pretreatment with basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) and nerve growth factor (NGF) on the survival of neurons transplanted into the third ventricle in rats were studied. Septa from 16-day-old rat embryos were pretreated with growth factor containing medium for 30 min and transplanted into the third ventricle of adult rats. Twenty-one days after the operation, the recipient rats were perfused with 4% paraformaldehyde. Paraffin sections of the removed brains were made, and the sections were stained with cresylviolet. The number of neurons in the grafts was counted under a light microscope. Although pretreatment with NGF was not effect, bFGF at the concentration of 1 and 10 micrograms/ml enhanced the survival of transplanted septal neurons. These results suggest that short-term pretreatment with bFGF could increase the efficiency of neuronal transplantation.

[Does clinical stage have any influence on the results of provocation tests in allergic children? I. The best clinical stage for food provocation tests]

To investigate the best clinical stage for food provocation tests, twenty allergic patients who had early allergic reactions induced by any kind of food were tested. The patients were classified into two groups. Group I; open-food challenge tests were performed on eleven patients within 48 hours of admission. Group II; the tests were performed on nine patients seven or more days after admission. In these food provocation tests, there were nine positive results in Group II (p < 0.05). The percentage of eosinophils in the blood was higher in cases of positive provocation than in cases of negative provocation (p < 0.05). Moreover the percentage of eosinophils decreased after admission day by day in the provocation-negative patients of Group II, but there was no change in the provocation-positive patients. These results suggest that individual sensitivity to food decreased after admission. Therefore, in order to assess the actual sensitivity of allergic children it is necessary that food provocation tests be performed within two days of admission or before admission.

Changes in nasal airway resistance and secretory response in the guinea pig after nasal challenge with capsaicin and histamine

We studied serial changes of nasal airway resistance (NAR) and secretory response after topical stimulation with either capsaicin or histamine, since both are known to stimulate a chemosensitive sensory C-fiber ending. After topical capsaicin stimulation, a dose-related increase of NAR was noted, with a peak response occurring at 10-20 min. These NAR responses were completely abolished following systemic pretreatment with capsaicin. However, they were not affected by atropine, diphenhydramine or hexamethonium pretreatment. After topical histamine stimulation, an atropine-resistant increase of NAR was found and continued more than 120 min. The early phase of this response was significantly suppressed by the systemic pretreatment with capsaicin. A secretory response also occurred after topical capsaicin stimulation and continued for 30 min. This secretory response was almost completely blocked by atropine, hexamethonium or systemic capsaicin pretreatment and was partially suppressed by diphenhydramine pretreatment. These findings suggest that sensory C-fiber stimulation can induce both atropine-resistant vascular reflexes and atropine-sensitive secretory reflexes, and that these reflexes might play an important role during the early phase after nasal stimulation.

Neonatal facial nerve defect

Facial paralysis in the newborn may be caused by trauma associated with delivery or by lesions secondary to congenital developmental anomalies. We previously reported the absence of the facial nerve in the horizontal segment of the temporal bone on both sides in a patient with Mobius' syndrome, usually classified as a nuclear developmental defect. In this study we report the findings from 7 additional temporal bones with similar abnormalities. A study of 42 temporal bones from infants with various congenital anomalies revealed nine temporal bones in which the facial nerve disappeared mid-way through the course of the temporal bone. Some of the nerve fibers suggested regeneration after necrotic lesions induced during the perinatal period.

The core and complementary sequence responsible for biological activity of the diapause hormone of the silkworm, Bombyx mori

To evaluate the structure-function relationship of the diapause hormone of the silkworm, Bombyx mori, the entire molecule and selected fragment and deleted analogues were chemically synthesized to compare their biological activity. The C-terminal pentapeptide amide was the shortest fragment that elicited 11% diapause eggs at maximum, indicating that this sequence is the core-active structure required for a biological response. The full biological response of about 70% diapause eggs was expressed by the C-terminal hexapeptide amide. However, an ED50 value of this peptide amide was 1000-fold higher than that of the parent molecule. The serial elongation of peptide chain lengths toward the N-terminus brought about the sudden decrease in ED50 values at two positions between Arg9-Gly10 and Thr1-Asp2. The deletion of duplicated sequence(s) located in the middle part of the molecule or the truncation of N-terminal region of the parent molecule increased ED50 values but had no effects on response. Thus, N-terminal region and duplicated sequences act as the complementary structures for full potency of diapause hormone.

Erythrocytosis complicated by multiple paraganglioma

We report the case of a 22-year-old woman with onset of erythrocytosis at the age of 9 years. Endocrinological and radiological examinations revealed an elevated catecholamine level and the presence of multiple abdominal tumors. After the removal of the tumors, the catecholamine level normalized, whereas erythropoietin remained at the same level and erythrocytosis persisted. The tumor lysate contained considerable amounts of catecholamine but not erythropoietin. Moreover, no erythropoietin mRNA was detected in the tumor by in situ hybridization. These data suggest that this paraganglioma did not produce erythropoietin. A review of the literature showed the existence of patients with early-onset erythrocytosis complicated with paraganglioma, whose erythrocytosis was not relieved even after the resection of paraganglioma.

Phase II study of protracted infusional 5-fluorouracil combined with cisplatinum for advanced gastric cancer: report from the Japan Clinical Oncology Group (JCOG)

A phase II study of protracted infusional 5-fluorouracil (5FU) combined with cisplatin (CDDP) was conducted in patients with advanced gastric carcinoma. 55 previously untreated patients, including 40 patients with measurable disease, were treated with 5FU (800 mg/m2, days 1-5, protracted infusion) and CDDP (20 mg/m2, days 1-5, drip infusion). Objective tumour responses were observed in 17/40 (43%) patients with measurable disease. Median survival was 7 months. WHO grade 3 or 4 leucopenia occurred in 10/55 patients (18%) and grade 3/4 thrombocytopenia was observed in 4 patients (7%). A randomised trial including this regimen is now underway in a JCOG study.

[An early phase II study of CPT-11 (irinotecan hydrochloride) in patients with hematological malignancies]

An early phase II study of CPT-11 (irinotecan hydrochloride) was conducted in patients with hematological malignancies by 4 administration regimens in a cooperative study involving 13 institutes in Japan. The overall response rate was 23% (7/30) for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, 33% (1/3) for Hodgkin's disease, 18% (2/11) for acute lymphoblastic leukemia and 7% (1/15) for acute myelogenous leukemia. One PR was also obtained in a patient with chronic myelogenous leukemia. Among responders, 6 relapsed and refractory malignant lymphomas (ML) and 2 relapsed and refractory acute leukemias (AL) were involved. The response rates in ML with the regimens B (40 mg/m2 for 5 days every 3-4 weeks) and C (40 mg/m2 for 3 days every weeks) were 31% (5/16) and 33% (3/9), respectively. The other regimens (regimen A, 200 mg/m2 once a day every 3-4 weeks and regimen D) resulted in no response. Responses in AL were only observed in regimen D (20 mg/m2 twice a day for 7 days every 3-4 weeks). Major toxicities were leukopenia (91%), nausea/vomiting (74%), diarrhea (73%) and anorexia (64%). The incidence of severe gastrointestinal symptoms was higher in regimen B than regimen C. Further studies are warranted to confirm the effectiveness and safety of CPT-11 against ML and AL. The recommended administration schedule was regimen C for ML and regimen D for AL.

Endogenous nitric oxide inhibits NMDA- and kainate- responses by a negative feedback system in rat hippocampal neurons

Involvement of endogenous nitric oxide (NO) on glutamate receptor-mediated response was investigated in neuronal cells cultured from embryonic rat hippocampus. L-NG-Nitroarginine (NOARG), a NO synthase inhibitor, augmented NMDA- and kainate-induced increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) measured by fura-2 fluorometry. However, quisqualate-induced response was not affected. The potentiating effect of NOARG was blocked by L-arginine, a substrate for NO synthase. NOARG was also effective when added after glutamate-induced response had reached a steady-state. Hemoglobin itself increased the basal level of [Ca2+]i at concentrations higher than 10 mM, and treatment of the cells with 1.0 mM hemoglobin had no effect on NMDA response. 8-Bromo-cyclic GMP was not effective on NMDA response. These results suggest that endogenous NO inhibits NMDA- and kainate-induced increase in [Ca2+]i as a negative feedback system independent of guanylate cyclase activation.

Macrophage chemiluminescence induced by interaction with transparent and opaque colonial variants of Mycobacterium intracellulare

Macrophage (M phi) chemiluminescence (CL) induced by interaction with the two types of colonial variants of Mycobacterium intracellulare was studied. A smooth, opaque and dome-shaped (SmD) colonial variant triggered more intense M phi CL than did a smooth, transparent and flat colonial variant (SmT). M phi CL-inducing activity of the SmD variant was reduced by heating or by treatments with either Pronase P, some endoglycosidases or Tween 80, thereby indicating that the SmD variant possesses M phi CL-inducing substance(s) having peptide, sugar and/or lipid-like moieties. Treatment of the SmD variant organism with some endoglycosidases, such as cellulase, pectinase, dextranase or alpha-amylase decreased its M phi CL-inducing ability. On the other hand, M phi CL-inducing activity of the SmT variant was not affected by any of above treatments except that it was slightly increased by Pronase P treatment and reduced by alpha-amylase and dextranase.

Structural diversity of eukaryotic protein tyrosine phosphatases: functional and evolutionary implications

In the past few years, very rapid advances have been made in determining the primary structure of protein tyrosine phosphatases (PTPases). PTPase genes have now been isolated from bacteria, viruses, yeasts and insects as well as vertebrates. The cytosolic PTPases have a catalytic domain associated with various accessory domains that are believed to be involved in protein-protein interaction or subcellular localization. The transmembrane PTPases have either one or two cytoplasmic PTPase domains and an extracellular receptor-like structure. The existence of a large number of structurally diverse PTPases suggests that they play specific and crucial roles in signal transduction. In this article, the structural features of the PTPases from higher eukaryotes are reviewed.