Glomerulocystic kidney associated with subacute necrotizing-encephalomyelopathy

A 22-year-old man with subacute necrotizing-encephalomyelopathy (SNE; Leigh's disease) was diagnosed as having progressive renal dysfunction. The clinical diagnosis of Leigh's disease was obtained by the typical central nervous lesions, abnormalities in other organs, and increased lactate concentrations in blood and cerebrospinal fluid. We performed an open biopsy of the right kidney. Light microscopic studies of the renal specimen showed diffuse glomerulocystic kidney (GCK) with tubulointerstitial damage. Electron microscopic examination showed marked swelling and increase in the number of mitochondria of the renal tubular epithelial cells. Therefore, it is suggested that mitochondrial disease seems to play an important role in developing GCK.

Chemical characterization of organic carbon dissolved in natural waters using inorganic adsorbents

Dissolved organic carbon (DOC) in water samples from Lake Biwa was chemically characterized by two inorganic adsorbents with completely different surface characteristics. The two adsorbents were HIO (hydrous iron oxide) and SG (silica gel). Solutions of reference standard materials were analyzed concerning their adsorption behavior to HIO and SG for bovine serum albumin (BSA), fulvic acid extracted from the bottom sediments of Lake Biwa, phthalic acid, and starch. The adsorption of DOC to HIO was mainly controlled by ligand exchange and electrostatic interaction; that of SG was by electrostatic interaction. It was found that in a weak acid solution of around pH 5, BSA adsorbs to both HIO and SG, but that fulvic acid, phthalic acid and starch only show adsorption to HIO. Using these characteristics, DOC samples in natural water samples were characterized into pro-DOC, which adsorbs to both HIO and SG at pH 5, and car-DOC, which only adsorbs to HIO at pH 5. The DOC samples in Lake Biwa on October 7, 1997, at sampling sites Nb-2 and Nb-5 (south basin of Lake Biwa, the depths were about 2 and 4 m), and Ie-1 (north basin of Lake Biwa, the depth was about 75 m) were characterized. The pro-DOC has different values, depending on their sampling sites and depths, and had the maximum value of 0.42 mg C l(-1) at the surface water of Ie-1, and had the lowest values at middle to deeper water depths (0.18-0.27 mg C l(-1)). The car-DOC showed a relatively stable value at Ie-1 regardless of the depth (0.63-0.83 mg C l(-1)), and the maximum value was observed in Nb-2 and Nb-5 (1.2 and 1.3 mg C l(-1)). The ratios between car-DOC and pro-DOC concentrations were 0.2-0.5, and had different values for different sampling sites and depths. The ratios were significantly different for surface water samples where the biological activities are high and for bottom water samples where decomposition predominates.

Evaluation of urinary rapid test for Helicobacter pylori in general practice

There is increasing interest in noninvasive tests for the diagnosis of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) infection. One such test, a urine-based rapid test kit (RAPIRUN H. pylori Antibody, Otsuka Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.) for detection of antibody to H. pylori, has been developed and is considered ideal. In addition to its noninvasiveness and safe handling-due to use of urine as a sample-the assay procedure used for the urinary rapid test is very simple. Only 10-20 minutes are required to complete an assay, and no instruments are needed. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical usefulness of this urine-based rapid test. A total of 189 patients, including 76 patients with gastroduodenal disease, were recruited. A pair of random single-void urine and serum samples was collected from each of the 189 patients, and antibody to H. pylori in the urine and serum samples was measured using the urine-based rapid test kit and three commercially available serum-based ELISA kits. For the patients with gastroduodenal disease, invasive diagnostic methods using endoscopic biopsy specimens such as culture, histology, and rapid urease test were also performed. The sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the urinary rapid test were evaluated on the basis of the three serum ELISA results or the invasive diagnostic results. In addition, various urinalyses were performed, and the effects of substances existing in urine on the urinary rapid test results were examined. Of the 189 patients, the urinary rapid test was positive for 110 (58.2%), negative for 78 (41.3%), and invalid for only one patient (0.5%). Based on the three serum-based ELISA results, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the urinary rapid test were 93.7, 88.9, and 92.2%, respectively. On the basis of the biopsy-based test results, the sensitivity of the urinary rapid test was 100% and its accuracy (95.2%) was equivalent or superior to that of each serum-based ELISA. In addition, no significant differences were observed between groups positive and negative on urinary rapid testing in any urinalysis parameter examined. The novel urinary rapid test kit evaluated in this study enables simple, rapid, and accurate diagnosis of H. pylori infection, and is an ideal test method for point-of-care testing.

Vaccination with calpain induces a Th1-biased protective immune response against Schistosoma japonicum

A large subunit of calpain, a calcium-activated neutral proteinase, from Schistosoma japonicum was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli. When BALB/c mice were immunized with purified recombinant calpain (r-calpain) emulsified in complete Freund's adjuvant, a significant reduction in the number of recovered worms and also in egg production per female worm was observed (P<0.01). Spleen cells of the immunized mice showed enhanced production of gamma interferon (IFN-gamma) by activated CD4(+) T cells. Considering our observation of elevated expression of inducible nitric oxide synthase mRNA in immunized mice, r-calpain-induced IFN-gamma seemed to upregulate the production of nitric oxide by macrophages and subsequently mediated the killing of schistosomulae in the lung. On the other hand, spleen cells of immunized mice showed only faint interleukin-4 production in response to r-calpain in vitro, suggesting that immunization with r-calpain alters the Th1-Th2 balance in murine hosts even during a Th2-promoting S. japonicum infection. Furthermore, histopathological study of the livers of immunized mice showed that granulomas formed around eggs were diminished in both size and number. Egg production by female worms was clearly decreased in immunized mice, suggesting that r-calpain also has antifecundity effects. Taken together, these results point to S. japonicum calpain as a potential vaccine candidate for both worm killing and disease prevention, possibly through the induction of a strong Th1-dominant environment in immunized mice.

Synthesis, SARs, and pharmacological characterization of 2-amino-3 or 6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid derivatives as potent, selective, and orally active group II metabotropic glutamate receptor agonists

(+)-2-aminobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid (4, LY354740), a highly selective and orally active group II metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) agonist, has increased interest in the study of group II mGluRs. Our interest focused on a conformationally constrained form of compound 4, because it appeared that the rigid form resulted in not only selectivity for group II mGluR but was orally active. Therefore, we introduced a fluorine atom to compound 4, based on the molecular size (close resemblance to hydrogen atom) and electronegativity (effects on the electron distribution in the molecule) of this atom and carbon-fluorine bond energy. Compound (+)-7 (MGS0008), the best compound among 3-fluoro derivatives 7-10, retained the agonist activity of compound 4 for mGluR2 and mGluR3 ((+)-7: EC(50) = 29.4 +/- 3.3 nM and 45.4 +/- 8.4 nM for mGluR2 and mGluR3, respectively; 4: EC(50) = 18.3 +/- 1.6 nM and 62.8 +/- 12 nM for mGluR2 and mGluR3, respectively) and increased the oral activity of compound 4 ((+)-7: ED(50) = 5.1 mg/kg and 0.26 mg/kg for phencyclidine (PCP)-induced hyperactivity and PCP-induced head-weaving behavior, respectively; 4: ED(50) = >100 mg/kg and 3.0 mg/kg for PCP-induced hyperactivity and PCP-induced head-weaving behavior, respectively). In addition, a compound [(3)H]-(+)-7 binding study using mGluR2 or 3 expressed in CHO cells was successful ((+)-7: K(i) = 47.7 +/- 17 nM and 65.9 +/- 7.1 nM for mGluR2 and mGluR3, respectively; 4: K(i) = 23.4 +/- 7.1 nM and 53.5 +/- 13 nM for mGluR2 and mGluR3, respectively). On the basis of a successful result of compound 7, we focused on the introduction of a fluorine atom on the C6 position of compound 4. (1R,2S,5R, 6R)-2-amino-6-fluorobicyclo[3.1.0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid ((-)-11) exhibited a high degree of agonist activity for group II mGluRs equal to that of compound 4 or 7 ((-)-11: K(i) = 16.6 +/- 5.6 and 80.9 +/- 31 nM for mGluR2 and mGluR3, respectively). Our interest shifted to modification on CH(2) at C4 position of compound 11, since replacement of the CH(2) group with either an oxygen atom or sulfur atom yielded compound 5 or 6, resulting in increased agonist activity. We selected a carbonyl group instead of CH(2) at the C4 position of compound 11. The carbonyl group might slightly change the relative conformation of three functional groups, the amino group and two carboxylic acids, which have important roles in mediating the interaction between group II mGluRs and their ligand, compared with the CH(2) group of 4, oxygen atom of 5, and sulfur atom of 6. (1R,2S,5S,6S)-2-Amino-6-fluoro-4-oxobicyclo[3.1. 0]hexane-2,6-dicarboxylic acid monohydrate ((+)-14, MGS0028) exhibited a remarkably high degree of agonist activity for mGluR2 (K(i) = 0.570 +/- 0.10 nM) and mGluR3 (K(i) = 2.07 +/- 0.40 nM) expressed in CHO cells but not mGluR4, 6, 7, 1a, or 5 expressed in CHO cells (K(i) = >100 000 nM). Furthermore, compound (+)-14 strongly inhibited phencyclidine (PCP)-induced head-weaving behavior (ED(50) = 0.090 microg/kg) and hyperactivity (ED(50) = 0.30 mg/kg) in rats. Thus, (+)-7 and (+)-14 are potent, selective, and orally active group II mGluR agonists and might be useful not only for exploring the functions of mGluRs but in the treatment of schizophrenia.

Crystallization and preliminary X-ray diffraction studies of Streptomyces phospholipase A2 in a calcium-binding form

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2) as a calcium-binding form, produced by Streptomyces violaceoruber, was crystallized in a form suitable for the diffraction analysis using the vapor diffusion method. Crystals were grown in 0.1 M Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5), 20 mM Ca2+ containing 50-60% (v/v) 2-methyl-2,4-pentanediol as a precipitant. They belong to the monoclinic space group P2(1), with the cell dimensions a=38.3 A, b=54.3 A, c=30.6 A, and beta=90.2 degrees. The crystals diffract the X-ray well and the diffraction intensity data were collected up to 1.6 A resolution. The crystal volume per unit mass, V(M) is 2.35 A3 Da(-1) with one molecule in the asymmetric unit, which corresponds to a solvent content of 47.7%.

Identification of negative regulatory regions within the first exon and intron of the BCL6 gene

Chromosomal translocations involving BCL6 gene are frequent in human B-cell lymphomas. Chromosomal breaks preferentially occur within a 3-kb region containing the first exon and intron. Recent reports have revealed that internal deletions or point mutations also are common in this region, suggesting that structural alteration of this region may be a crucial event in the development of lymphomas. In this study, we identified two regions in the BCL6 gene that negatively regulate BCL6 expression. One region, ES, is located within the first exon between nucleotides +472 and +543, and a second region, IS, is located between +783 and + 918 of the first intron. A consensus nucleotide sequence for the binding of the BCL6 protein itself was found within the ES region. An electrophoretic mobility shift assay and a co-transfection experiment using a BCL6 expression vector showed that transcription of the BCL6 gene was negatively regulated by the BCL6 gene product. The IS region which is included in the regions commonly deleted in B-cell lymphomas had a silencer activity. Structural alterations of these two regions may play roles in the deregulated expression of the BCL6 gene in B-cell lymphomas.

The lymphoproliferative response to enzymatically digested gelatin in subjects with gelatin hypersensitivity

BACKGROUND

This study was designed to evaluate the immunogenic characteristics of enzymatically digested gelatin, 'FreAlagin', employing the lymphoproliferative response in subjects with gelatin hypersensitivity. Our purpose was to assess the response of primed lymphocytes to the newly developed FreAlagin and compare it to the response to conventional gelatin.

METHODS

A gelatin-specific lymphocyte proliferation test (LPT) was performed in 110 children with adverse reactions to gelatin-containing vaccines, who showed positive gelatin-specific cell-mediated immunity and were thus diagnosed as having gelatin hypersensitivity. Gelatin-specific IgE was measured in all subjects. The antigenic activity of FreAlagin to lymphocytes was compared with that of conventional bovine gelatin. Positive and negative control specimens were obtained from the patients with anaphylaxis and from subjects inoculated with gelatin-free vaccine who showed no adverse reactions in order to establish the fluorometric ELISA system to determine IgE antibody to gelatin and LPT.

RESULTS

The lymphocyte activity against FreAlagin was much less than that to Wako gelatin and more than half of the subjects who reacted positively to Wako gelatin had a negative LPT to FreAlagin. Although 47% of the subjects had positive LPTs to FreAlagin, all but two still had lower SIs to FreAlagin compared with Wako gelatin.

CONCLUSION

We conclude that the antigenic activity of FreAlagin as measured by the cell-mediated immune response is significantly less than that of conventional bovine gelatin. However, it is still necessary to perform clinical trials to show a reduced or absent clinical reactivity to FreAlagin in sensitized patients to conventional gelatin.

Role of pertussis toxin-sensitive G protein in metabolic vasodilation of coronary microcirculation

We have previously demonstrated that pertussis toxin (PTX)-sensitive G protein (G(PTX)) plays a major role in coronary microvascular vasomotion during hypoperfusion. We aimed to elucidate the role of G(PTX) during increasing metabolic demand. In 18 mongrel dogs, coronary arteriolar diameters were measured by fluorescence microangiography using a floating objective. Myocardial oxygen consumption (MVO(2)) was increased by rapid left atrial pacing. In six dogs, PTX (300 ng/ml) was superfused onto the heart surface for 2 h to locally block G(PTX). In eight dogs, the vehicle (Krebs solution) was superfused in the same way. Before and after each treatment, the diameters were measured during control (130 beats/min) and rapid pacing (260 beats/min) in each group. Metabolic stimulation before and after the vehicle treatment caused 8.6 +/- 1. 8 and 16.1 +/- 3.6% dilation of coronary arterioles <100 microm in diameter (57 +/- 8 microm at control, n = 10), respectively. PTX treatment clearly abolished the dilation of arterioles (12.8 +/- 2. 5% before and 0.9 +/- 1.6% after the treatment, P < 0.001 vs. vehicle; 66 +/- 8 microm at control, n = 11) in response to metabolic stimulation. The increases in MVO(2) and coronary flow velocity were comparable between the vehicle and PTX groups. In four dogs, 8-phenyltheophylline (10 microM, superfusion for 30 min) did not affect the metabolic dilation of arterioles (15.3 +/- 2.0% before and 16.4 +/- 3.8% after treatment; 84.3 +/- 11.0 microm at control, n = 8). Thus we conclude that G(PTX) plays a major role in regulating the coronary microvascular tone during active hyperemia, and adenosine does not contribute to metabolic vasodilation via G(PTX) activation.

Involvement of apoptosis-inducing factor during dolichyl monophosphate-induced apoptosis in U937 cells

Dolichyl monophosphate (Dol-P) has been found to induce apoptosis in human leukemia U937 cells. During this apoptotic execution, the increase of plasma membrane fluidity (5-20 min), caspase-3-like protease activation (2-4 h), chromatin condensation and DNA ladder formation (3-4 h) were observed successively. Here, we report that reduction in mitochondrial transmembrane potential and translocation of apoptosis-inducing factor (AIF) are early events (1-3 h) in the apoptotic process induced by Dol-P in U937 cells. The AIF was concentrated around nuclei and partly translocated to the nuclei, which was confirmed by immunocytochemistry using specific anti-AIF antibody. Both caspase-8 and caspase-3 inhibitors blocked only DNA fragmentation but not mitochondrial processes, AIF migration and chromatin condensation. These results indicate that mitochondrial changes are an early step in the apoptosis induced by Dol-P and AIF is one of the important factors which induce chromatin condensation in nuclei.

[Development of Sweet's syndrome during all-trans retinoic acid therapy for acute promyelocytic leukemia]

A 54-year-old woman visited our hospital because of gingival bleeding on May 31, 1998. After hematological and bone marrow examinations, she was diagnosed as having acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) and given all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) therapy starting on June 1. Anti-cancer drugs were administered for 5 days from June 12 because of an increase in the number of APL cells. The patient developed fever on June 20, and nodular erythematous eruptions appeared on June 23. Sweet's syndrome was diagnosed from biopsy samples of the eruption. ATRA was therefore discontinued, and prednisolone was started on June 29. The fever and skin eruptions improved rapidly, and complete remission was obtained on July 13. Sweet's syndrome due to ATRA may be a partial form of retinoic acid syndrome, in which the differentiated leukemic neutrophils increase and invade various organs. However, Sweet's syndrome must be considered regardless of the WBC count because in this case the syndrome occurred even when the WBC count was not high.

UV radiation-sensitive norin 1 rice contains defective cyclobutane pyrimidine dimer photolyase

Norin 1, a progenitor of many economically important Japanese rice strains, is highly sensitive to the damaging effects of UVB radiation (wavelengths 290 to 320 nm). Norin 1 seedlings are deficient in photorepair of cyclobutane pyrimidine dimers. However, the molecular origin of this deficiency was not known and, because rice photolyase genes have not been cloned and sequenced, could not be determined by examining photolyase structural genes or upstream regulatory elements for mutations. We therefore used a photoflash approach, which showed that the deficiency in photorepair in vivo resulted from a functionally altered photolyase. These results were confirmed by studies with extracts, which showed that the Norin 1 photolyase-dimer complex was highly thermolabile relative to the wild-type Sasanishiki photolyase. This deficiency results from a structure/function alteration of photolyase rather than of nonspecific repair, photolytic, or regulatory elements. Thus, the molecular origin of this plant DNA repair deficiency, resulting from a spontaneously occurring mutation to UV radiation sensitivity, is defective photolyase.

Protective effect of riluzole on MPTP-induced depletion of dopamine and its metabolite content in mice

The neuroprotective effects of riluzole (2-amino-6-trifluoromethoxy benzothiazole), a Na+ channel blocker with antiglutamatergic activity, MK-801, a blocker of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors and monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitor pargyline were compared in the model of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-induced depletion of dopamine and its metabolite 3,4-dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) levels in mice. The mice received four intraperitoneal injections of MPTP (10 mg/kg) at 1-hr intervals and then the brains were analyzed at 1, 3 and 7 days after the treatments. Dopamine and DOPAC levels were significantly decreased in the striatum from 1 day after MPTP treatments. A severe depletion in dopamine and DOPAC levels was found in the striatum 3 and 7 days after MPTP treatments. Riluzole dose-dependently antagonized the MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine and DOPAC levels in the striatum. Pargyline also protected against MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum. However, this drug showed no significant change in the striatal DOPAC levels. On the other hand, MK-801 failed to protect against MPTP-induced decrease in dopamine levels in the striatum. However, MK-801 reversed the MPTP-induced decrease in DOPAC levels. These results suggest that riluzole can protect against MPTP-induced striatal dopamine and DOPAC depletion in mice. This protective effect may be caused by inactivation of voltage-dependent Na+ channels by riluzole. Furthermore, the present study suggests that the activation of NMDA receptors does not mainly contribute to MPTP-induced neurodegeneration, whereas MAO, especially MAO type B(MAO-B) plays a crucial role in MPTP-induced degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neuronal pathway.

Immune response to gangliosides in a case of Guillain-Barré syndrome after varicella

An 8 year old girl was admitted to hospital with the typical clinical features of Guillain-Barré syndrome (GBS) after recovering from varicella. Onset of the disease was just two weeks after the onset of varicella in her young sister. Examination of cerebrospinal fluid and nerve conduction studies showed typical findings of GBS. Although serum from both the patient and sister were analysed for autoantibodies to gangliosides and myelin P0 protein, IgM anti-GM1 antibody and anti-GD1b antibody were only detected in the patient. HLA DR haplotypes were quite different between the two subjects. This suggests that these autoantibodies may play an important role in the pathogenesis of GBS after varicella zoster virus infection.

Schistosoma mansoni infection cancels the susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi through induction of type 1 immune responses in A/J mice

Susceptibility to Plasmodium chabaudi depends on the relative dominance of T(h)1/T(h)2 responses in host mice. A T(h)2-dominant response during the early phase of infection in susceptible A/J mice causes a fatal disease course due to severe malaria. Schistosoma mansoni is a potent inducer of a T(h)2-dominant response not only to the parasite antigens, but also to other antigens concurrently existing in the host animals. In spite of S. mansoni infection, these A/J mice escape death from malaria and showed accompanied enhanced production of IFN-gamma to malaria antigens. Treatment with anti-IFN-gamma mAb in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice abolished the resistance to malaria, indicating that IFN-gamma was responsible for the resistance to P. chabaudi in S. mansoni-infected A/J mice. Results in this study show that under certain circumstances, S. mansoni infection can promote type 1 immune responses in A/J mice that normally develop T(h)2 responses.

In vitro plasma protein binding and cellular uptake of ATX-S10(Na), a hydrophilic chlorin photosensitizer

ATX-S10(Na), a hydrophilic chlorin photosensitizer having an absorption maximum at 670 nm, is a candidate second-generation photosensitizer for photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment. In this study, we examined plasma protein binding, cellular uptake and subcellular targets of ATX-S10(Na) in vitro. Protein binding ratios of 50 microg / ml ATX-S10(Na) in rat, dog and human plasma were 73.0%, 87.2% and 97.7%, respectively. Gel filtration chromatography revealed that 1 mg / ml ATX-S10(Na) bound mainly to high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and serum albumin at the protein concentration of 0.4%, with binding ratios of 46% and 36%, respectively. The free form of ATX-S10(Na) was mostly incorporated into T.Tn cells, and its cellular uptake was partially but significantly inhibited by endocytosis inhibitors such as phenylarsine oxide, chloroquine, monensin and phenylglyoxal, and by chilling the cells to 4 degrees C. However, ouabain, harmaline, sodium cyanide, probenecid and aspartic acid did not influence the uptake of ATX-S10(Na), suggesting that cellular uptake of ATX-S10(Na) was not related to sodium-potassium pump activity, sodium-dependent transporter activity, mitochondrial oxidative respiration, organic anion transporter activity or aspartic acid transporter activity. By fluorescence microscopy, lysosomal localization of ATX-S10(Na) was observed in T.Tn cells. However, electron microscopic observation revealed that many subcellular organelles such as mitochondria, endoplasmic reticulum, ribosomes, Golgi complex and plasma membrane were damaged by PDT using 25 microg / ml ATX-S10(Na) soon after laser irradiation at 50 J / cm(2), and tumor necrosis was rapidly induced. This result indicated that ATX-S10(Na) was widely distributed within the cell.

4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, the end product of lipid peroxidation, is a specific inducer of cyclooxygenase-2 gene expression

Cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), an enzyme responsible for catalyzing the committed step in prostanoid biosynthesis, is the product of an immediate early gene capable of being upregulated by diverse stimuli. Based on the experimental evidence that oxidative stress is associated with the upregulation of COX-2, we evaluated the effect of the oxidized fatty acid metabolites on COX-2 induction in rat liver epithelial RL34 cells. Among the compounds tested, only 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal (HNE), a highly mutagenic and genotoxic aldehyde generated during oxidative stress, dramatically induced COX-2. Enhanced gene expression of COX-2 by treatment with HNE was evident as a drastic elevation of the mRNA level. We also found that intracellular glutathione status was strictly related to HNE-induced COX-2 expression. These findings suggest the presence of a signaling pathway in the cellular response mediated by locally produced lipid peroxidation products under oxidative stress.

Strongyloides venezuelensis: heparin-binding adhesion substances in immunologically damaged adult worms

Immunologically damaged Strongyloides venezuelensis adult worms were examined for their mucosal invasion ability and secretion of heparin-binding adhesion substances. S. venezuelensis was expelled from male Wistar rats 4 to 5 weeks after infection. Four-week-old adult worms were smaller and had fewer eggs than 1-week-old adult worms. One-week-old, 4-week-old, and 5-week-old adult worms equally established in the recipient mouse intestine when surgically implanted. Adult worms of 4 and 5 weeks of age secreted adhesion substances as much as 1-week-old adult worms. There was no difference in the heparin-binding activities and the lectin-binding profile of adhesion substances among adult worms of different ages. The rate of secretion of adhesion substances from the mouth was also identical. Heparin-binding activities were detected in crude adult worm proteins; however, proteins of 5-week-old adult worms had weaker heparin-binding activities than those of 1-week-old adult worms. Western blotting revealed that a number of heparin-binding proteins were lost in 5-week-old adult worms. A heparin-binding protein of 42. 0 kDa, which was consistently expressed in adult worms, was a possible component of heparin-binding adhesion substances which are secreted from the mouth.

Photodynamic therapy for experimental tumors using ATX-S10(Na), a hydrophilic chlorin photosensitizer, and diode laser

ATX-S10(Na), a hydrophilic chlorin photosensitizer having an absorption maximum at 670 nm, is a candidate second-generation photosensitizer for use in photodynamic therapy (PDT) for cancer treatment. The effectiveness of PDT using ATX-S10(Na) and a diode laser for experimental tumors was evaluated in vitro and in vivo. In-vitro PDT using ATX-S10(Na) and the diode laser showed drug concentration-, laser dose- and drug exposure time-dependent cytotoxicity to various human and mouse tumor cell lines. In Meth-A sarcoma-implanted mice, optimal PDT conditions were found where tumors were completely eliminated without any toxicity. Against human tumor xenografts in nude mice, the combined use of 5 mg / kg ATX-S10(Na) and 200 J / cm(2) laser irradiation 3 h after ATX-S10(Na) administration showed excellent anti-tumor activity, and its efficacy was almost the same as that of PDT using 20 mg / kg porfimer sodium and a 100 J / cm(2) excimer dye laser 48 h after porfimer sodium injection. Microscopic observation of tumor tissues revealed that PDT using ATX-S10(Na) and the diode laser induced congestion, thrombus and degeneration of endothelial cells in tumor vessels, indicating that a vascular shutdown effect plays an important role in the anti-tumor activity of PDT using ATX-S10(Na) and the diode laser.

On chronological changes in the basic EEG rhythm in persons with Down syndrome - with special reference to slowing of alpha waves

The authors tried to know specificity of aging in persons with Down syndrome (DS) from the aspect of electroencephalograph (EEG) frequency changes through the cross-sectional and longitudinal studies, in comparison with normal persons as well as those with mentally retardation except the Down syndrome (non-DS MR). Subjects for a cross-sectional study were 265 persons with DS, 242 with non-DS MR and 239 healthy persons, and subjects for a follow-up study were 28 persons with DS and 14 with non-DS MR, whose EEGs were recorded repeatedly once a year during 8 or 9 years. Resting EEGs from the frontal, central and occipital regions were examined through power spectrum. In the cross-sectional study, the number of subjects with DS who showed dominant component within 8 Hz band of the basic rhythm reached maximum in its appearance rate at 40-44 years of age in the occipital area, but this slowing progressed already at 30-34 years of age. While in non-DS MR, the number of subjects who showed dominant component at 8 Hz reached maximum at 45-49 years of age, and this slowing of the basic rhythm was not so clear as in DS. In the follow-up study for subjects with DS, although the lowering in EEG frequency to 8 Hz took place in various years of age individually, earlier distinct decrease of the frequency was commonly noticed. These earlier steep lowering of EEG frequency was discussed in relation to the senile signs and to the decline of brain function referring to Alzheimer disease.

Clinical usefulness of urine-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay for detection of antibody to Helicobacter pylori: a collaborative study in nine medical institutions in Japan

BACKGROUND

A urine-based enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kit for detection of antibody to Helicobacter pylori has been developed in Japan. Urine samples can be obtained noninvasively and are easier and safer to handle than are serum samples. The aim of this study was to examine the clinical usefulness of this urine-based ELISA kit.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

A pair of random, single-void urine and serum samples was collected from each of 1,061 subjects, including 238 patients with gastroduodenal disease. The sensitivity and specificity of the urine-based ELISA was compared with those of three commercially available serum-based ELISA kits. For those patients with gastroduodenal disease, the urine- and serum-based ELISA results were also compared with those for other diagnostic methods using endoscopic biopsy specimens, such as culture, histology, and rapid urease tests.

RESULTS

Based on the three serum-based ELISA results, the sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of the urine-based ELISA were 97.7%, 95.6%, and 96.8%, respectively. On the basis of the biopsy test results, the sensitivity (96.2%), specificity (78.9%), and accuracy (91.0%) of the urine-based ELISA were almost equivalent or superior to all three serum-based ELISAs tested. In addition, 10 of the 12 false-positive cases for urine-based ELISA were confirmed to be true positives for antibodies to H. pylori by Western blot analysis and inhibition ELISA.

CONCLUSIONS

The urine-based ELISA (URINELISA H. pylori Antibody) is very accurate and should be useful as an alternative to serum-based ELISAs for screening of H. pylori infection.

[Factors influencing noncompliance with medication regimens in the elderly]

Poor medication compliance is a major issue in the health care of older patients. To identify risk factors for medication noncompliance in the elderly, inpatients aged 65 years and older at Nagoya University Hospital and at Chubu National Hospital underwent a comprehensive geriatric assessment and tests for the assessment of medication compliance. The dependency of medication assistance by a caregiver is associated with low physical function activity, cognitive impairment, depression and communication inability. Medication noncompliance was not associated with the score of any component of comprehensive geriatric assessment. There was a good relationship between patient's knowledge of medications and the frequency of dosage interval, both of which were associated with the score of instrumental ADL, cognitive function and communication ability. The knowledge was also associated with the medication compliance at Nagoya University Hospital but not at Chubu National Hospital. These results may suggest that the elderly patient's understanding of a medication regimen is important but that other factors are also required to maintain their treatment regimen.

Design, synthesis and structure-affinity relationships of 4-methylidenepiperidine and 4-aryl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives as corticotropin-releasing factor1 receptor antagonists

Recently, various non-peptide corticotropin-releasing factor1 (CRF1) receptor antagonists have been reported. Structure-affinity relationships (SARs) of non-peptide CRF antagonists suggest that such antagonists can be constructed of three units: a hydrophobic unit (Up-Area), a proton accepting unit (Central-Area), and an aromatic unit (Down-Area). Our interest focused on the Up-Area in deriving the novel methylidenepiperidine derivatives 8-10 and 4-aryl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine derivatives 11-13 as non-peptide CRF1 receptor antagonists. Compounds 8a and 11a had moderate affinity for CRF1 receptor, but compounds 9, 10, 12 and 13 did not exhibit CRF1 receptor affinity. Modification of derivatives 11 afforded compounds 11i (CRA1001) and 11x (CRA1000), which had high affinity and selectivity for CRF1 receptors with potent anxiolytic-like and antidepressant-like properties in some experimental animal models. These findings suggest that the hydrophonic unit (Up-Area) may be useful for design of CRF1 antagonists. We report here the design, synthesis and SARs of the derivatives 8 and 11 and isosteres 9, 10, 12 and 13.