Shear stress increases hydraulic conductivity of cultured endothelial monolayers

To examine the effect of shear stress on hydraulic conductivity (Lp) of bovine aortic endothelial cell monolayers grown on polycarbonate filters, we developed a rotating disk system, which imposed a defined shear stress while Lp was measured. A 10-cmH2O pressure differential was applied to monolayers, and baseline Lp was established between 1.65 +/- 0.85 and 4.94 +/- 1.05 x 10(-7) cm.s-1.cmH2O-1. One-hour exposure to 10 dyn/cm2 shear stress caused a significant (P < 0.05) increase in Lp by 2.16-fold (+/- 0.42), and Lp remained elevated when shear stress was removed. Three-hour exposure to shear stresses between 0.1 and 20.0 dyn/cm2 revealed a threshold for shear-induced increase in Lp of 0.5 dyn/cm2. At 20 dyn/cm2, Lp initially decreased by 30% (+/- 13.4%, P < 0.05) and then increased to a level 3.76-fold (+/- 0.83, P < 0.05) greater than baseline Lp at 3 h. The shear-induced increase in Lp was reversed with dibutyryl adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (DBcAMP, 1 mM) and could be significantly (P < 0.05) inhibited when monolayers were preincubated with 0.3 mM DBcAMP, a concentration that did not significantly affect baseline Lp. Furthermore, preincubation with a general phosphodiesterase inhibitor, 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (1 mM), completely blocked the shear-induced increase in Lp. On the basis of these results, we conclude that shear stress alters endothelial Lp through a cellular mechanism involving signal transduction, not by a purely physical mechanism.

Serum soluble HLA class I antigen levels in hemodialysis patients and following renal transplantation

We measured the serum levels of soluble HLA class I antigen (sHLA-I) to evaluate the immune status of uremia and following renal transplantation. Twenty-one hemodialysis (HD) patients had serum samples collected for sHLA-I analysis before and after HD and also during the initial posttransplant period. The serum sHLA-I levels in patients undergoing HD were higher than in the normal controls (574.8 +/- 431.1 vs. 415.6 +/- 256.1 ng/ml, p < 0.05). In the HD patients, HD duration was not correlated with serum sHLA-I levels (r = 0.01, p > 0.05), and pre- and post-HD serum sHLA-I levels were not significantly different (574.8 +/- 431.1 vs. 568.3 +/- 398.4 ng/ml, p > 0.05). After successful renal transplantation, the serum sHLA-I levels decreased significantly (574.8 +/- 431.1 vs. 226.7 +/- 202.8 ng/ml, p = 0.0001) but increased significantly during the rejection period as compared to the prerejection period (642.8 +/- 296.1 vs. 305.5 +/- 194.7 ng/ml, p = 0.0002). In conclusion, sHLA-I levels are stable in uremic status and can be used as a parameter for monitoring acute graft rejection in renal transplantation.

Prevalence and clinical course of hepatitis B and hepatitis C liver disease in ciclosporin-treated renal allograft recipients

We performed this study to evaluate prevalence and clinical course of hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg)-positive and anti-hepatitis C virus (HCV)-positive renal transplant recipients. HBsAg positivity was 13.7 and anti-HCV positivity 12.8%. Before transplantation, the HBsAg positivity was observed in in 83.5% of the patients, and 16.4% of the patients acquired HBsAg after renal transplantation. In the HCV group, anti-HCV positivity was observed in 47.1% before transplantation, and 19.6% acquired anti-HCV after renal transplantation. The prevalence of chronic hepatitis in the hepatitis B virus (HBV) and in the HCV groups was not different (25.7 vs. 25.5%). Among those with chronic hepatitis in the HBV group, 4 cases progressed to fulminant hepatic failure, 1 case progressed to the end-stage liver cirrhosis, and 1 case to hepatocellular carcinoma. However, in the HCV group, no case showed progression of chronic hepatitis. The overall mortality in the HBV and HCV groups was 25.3 and 7.8%, respectively (p = 0.001). Among 20 fatal cases in the HBV group 9, cases were liver disease related, but no liver disease related death occurred in the HCV group. In conclusion, HCV as well as HBV infections are quite prevalent and important causes of posttransplant chronic hepatitis, and the clinical course of anti-HCV-positive recipients is less aggressive than that of HBsAg-positive recipients.

Construction of human embryonic cDNA libraries: HD, PKD1 and BRCA1 are transcribed widely during embryogenesis

We used the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to construct cDNA libraries from small amounts of tissue and to screen cDNA libraries efficiently for the presence of given sequences. To isolate genes expressed in early human development, we constructed both oligo dT-primed and random hexamer-primed cDNA libraries from ten different tissues of human embryos aged 53 to 78 days post conception. Given the small amount of RNA available, it was necessary to amplify the resultant cDNA using PCR to generate sufficient amounts of cDNA for library construction. As a result of using PCR followed by sizing to eliminate smaller synthesized fragments, the size of the synthesized product was > or = 650 base pairs and the average initial complexity of the given libraries was 10(6). We screened these cDNA libraries efficiently using PCR. Primers corresponding to a given gene were used to amplify DNA from phages encompassing a cDNA library. Successful amplification of the appropriate-sized fragment demonstrated that the DNA in question was transcribed in a given tissue. We demonstrated that HD (huntingtin, the protein transcribed from the Huntington disease locus), PKD1 (the most common gene responsible for familial polycystic kidney disease) and BRCA1 (a gene responsible for familial breast cancer) are synthesized nearly ubiquitously (including during embryogenesis). Thus, these human embryonic cDNA libraries constitute a unique resource to study early human development.

Construction of Tn917ac1, a transposon useful for mutagenesis and cloning of Bacillus subtilis genes

A Tn917 derivative was constructed for the purposes of mutagenesis and cloning of Bacillus subtilis genes. This transposon, Tn917ac1 (4.6 kb), consisted of terminal inverted repeats of Tn917, the res sequence, a ColE1 origin of replication (ori) and two drug-resistance genes. The plasmid carrying this transposon, named pD917, contained the erm-tnpR-tnpA gene cluster of Tn917 and a temperature-sensitive ori of pE194. For the purpose of mutagenesis, transposition of Tn917ac1 was induced by culturing strains harboring pD917 in a medium containing a low concentration of erythromycin. Cells with a Tn917ac1 insertion in the chromosome were selected on agar containing chloramphenicol after heat treatment to eliminate the plasmidic form of pD917. DNA fragments adjacent to Tn917ac1 could be cloned by restriction digestion of the chromosomal DNA and by transforming the self-ligated restriction fragments into Escherichia coli. Sequence analysis revealed that Tn917ac1 was integrated into the chromosome of B. subtilis by transposition in a recE strain and by transposition or integration of pD917 in a wild-type strain. Tn917ac1 has been demonstrated to be useful for mutating and cloning of the genes involved in the biosynthesis of fengycin in B. subtilis F29-3.

The present status of assisted reproductive technology in Asia-Oceania

This is a survey on the present status of assisted reproductive technology in the Asia-Oceanic region. The survey formats were sent to the 19-member societies of AOFOG. By the end of August 1991, 11 countries responded: Australia, Egypt, Hong Kong, Israel, Japan, Malaysia, New Zealand, Philippines, Republic of China, Singapore and Thailand. This report is a summary of data from 12 countries including Korea. It comprised of 14 headings: IVF, GIFT, AIH, AID, donor sperm in ART, donor eggs in ART, preembryos from IVF for donation, cryopreservation of eggs, cryopreservation of fertilized eggs and preembryos, research of preembryos, surrogate mothers, additional procedures, quality assurance in reproductive technology and formation of policy for emerging reproductive technology. Each heading is composed of status of regulations, cost and coverage and the results and management of program.

Bilateral fractures of Hydroflex penile prostheses: an unusual complication

We report bilaterally fractured Hydroflex implants in 2 patients. One fracture was complete and three were incomplete. All the fractures occurred at the junction of the rear reservoir and the inflation chamber.

Determination of biotin concentration by a competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) method

A method based on competitive enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was developed for the measurement of biotin concentrations which takes advantage of the extraordinarily high affinity between biotin and avidin. The biotin assay consisted of two steps, (i) a competition reaction between excess streptavidin-conjugated horseradish peroxidase (streptavidin-HRP) and solutions of known biotin concentrations or sample solutions and (ii) the measurement of the residual activities of the free form streptavidin-HRP which were correlated with the initial biotin concentrations. The procedure was modified by including an extra step of antibody-antigen interaction to assay biotin concentration unambiguously in more complex media. The entire assay was completed within 6 with sensitivities of approximately 1 pg/ml for biotin in a simple aqueous medium and 5 pg/ml in complex media. The method offers significant advantages in time, sensitivity and simplicity for determinations of biotin concentrations in various solutions.

Transcriptional activation of flanking sequences by Tn1000 insertion

The carotenoid biosynthesis operon of Erwinia herbicola Eho13 consists of five genes, which are organized in the order crtE-crtX-crtY-crtI-crtB. These genes, with the exception of crtX, encode functions of beta-carotene biosynthesis and give an orange-coloured phenotype in Escherichia coli. Since crtX is not involved in the biosynthesis of beta-carotene, deletion of this gene does not alter the phenotype of pigmented cells. On the other hand, insertion of Tn1000 into crtX or into the upstream untranslated region of the operon resulted in a light-yellow, rather than an unpigmented phenotype, indicating that Tn1000 does not exert a strong polar effect when inserted in this operon. RNA analysis revealed that the sequence downstream from the insertion site was transcribed at a low level. Primer extension showed that the "-35"-like sequence in the terminal inverted repeats was not responsible for the transcription of the downstream sequence. Furthermore, primer extension and polymerase chain reaction (PCR) studies revealed that RNA transcribed from the promoters inside of Tn1000 was extended through the terminal inverted repeats into the adjacent sequences. In addition Tn1000, in either orientation, was able to generate fusion transcripts when placed upstream of a promoter-less tetracycline-resistance gene and resulted in cells resistant to the drug. These results showed that Tn1000 insertion transcriptionally activates the DNA sequences adjacent to the transposon.

Familial predisposition to precancerous gastric lesions in a high-risk area of China

Aggregation of intestinal metaplasia and dysplasia was investigated among families participating in a population-based gastroscopic screening survey in an area of China with one of the world's highest rates of stomach cancer. The prevalence of gastric dysplasia was significantly increased among those with dysplasia among siblings or spouses, but not parents. The odds of dysplasia were nearly doubled if an eldest brother or a spouse was affected. Sibling and spousal associations for intestinal metaplasia were much less pronounced and not statistically significant. The specificity of the findings suggests that familial risk of advanced precancerous lesions (dysplasia) is influenced not only by genetic factors, but also by environmental factors operating in childhood and early adult life.

Correlates and predictive models for blood pressure values in residents of two communities in Taiwan

Factors predicting systolic blood pressure (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) were extensively studied in residents aged 18 years and above from 10 villages in two Taiwanese communities. In women, the associated factors identified included age, body mass index, waist/hip ratio (not selected as a factor for DBP), plasma uric acid, plasma chloride, urinary sodium/creatinine ratio, urinary calcium/creatinine ratio, education level, ancestral origin, parental hypertension status, and marital status. In men, the factors were age, body mass index, plasma triglyceride concentration, urinary sodium/creatinine ratio, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, parental hypertension status (not selected for DBP), and marital status (not selected for DBP). The degree of BP variation which could be significantly explained by the measured factors differed between SBP and DBP, and differed between men and women: 18% in men and 39% in women for SBP variation; 15% in men and 27% in women for DBP variation. Factors other than those included in the models should be explored, particularly for men. This study identifies, for Chinese populations, predictive factors of BP well-known in Western societies (BMI, urinary sodium, plasma uric acid, alcohol consumption) and factors less emphasized in other studies (plasma triglyceride and marital status). A positive association between BP and urinary Na, a lack of association between BP and urinary K, and opposite findings in the relationship between BP and the education level for men (positive relation) and women (negative relation) are worth noting.

Chromosomal assignments of mouse genes for connexin 50 and connexin 33 by somatic cell hybridization

The 12 known connexin genes coding for the subunit proteins of the gap junction channels and related in nucleotide sequence are widely dispersed in the mouse genome. By using a series of mouse X Chinese hamster somatic cell hybrids and molecular probes of murine connexin genes, we have assigned the connexin 50 gene to mouse chromosome 3. The connexin 33 gene has been mapped to the X chromosome, thus confirming the previous chromosomal assignment of this gene based on interspecific back-cross mapping.

Serum micronutrients in relation to pre-cancerous gastric lesions

Serum levels of retinol, beta-carotene, ascorbic acid, alpha-tocopherol, selenium, ferritin, copper, and zinc were assayed for approximately 600 adults aged 35 to 64 with pre-cancerous gastric lesions in an area of China with one of the world's highest rates of stomach cancer. Previous studies have shown that the cancers generally are preceded by chronic atropic gastritis (CAG), intestinal metaplasia (IM) and dysplasia. Concentrations of beta-carotene and ascorbic acid were significantly lower among individuals with IM than among those whose most severe lesion was superficial gastritis or CAG. The associations with IM for these nutrients were strong and independent. In combination, the odds of CAG progressing to IM were only 1/6 as high among those with upper tertile levels of beta-carotene and ascorbic acid as among those with lower tertile levels of both nutrients. The serum levels of beta-carotene and ascorbic acid were similar for individuals having IM with or without accompanying dysplasia. Risk of IM was also somewhat increased among those with low serum ferritin, but no significant effects were observed in multivariate analyses for the other nutrients assayed. The findings point to a major influence of specific nutrient deficits in the mechanisms of gastric carcinogenesis in this high-risk area.

The complete nucleotide sequence and gene organization of carp (Cyprinus carpio) mitochondrial genome

The complete sequence of the carp mitochondrial genome of 16,575 base pairs has been determined. The carp mitochondrial genome encodes the same set of genes (13 proteins, 2 rRNAs, and 22 tRNAs) as do other vertebrate mitochondrial DNAs. Comparison of this teleostean mitochondrial genome with those of other vertebrates reveals a similar gene order and compact genomic organization. The codon usage of proteins of carp mitochondrial genome is similar to that of other vertebrates. The phylogenetic relationship for mitochondrial protein genes is more apparent than that for the mitochondrial tRNA and rRNA genes.

Cloning, genomic organization, and chromosomal localization of the Scya5 gene encoding the murine chemokine RANTES

RANTES is a member of the C-C subfamily of chemokines that functions as a proinflammatory chemoattractant for CD4+ T cells, monocytes, and eosinophils, and as an activator of basophils to release histamine. Like other members of the chemokine superfamily, RANTES has been implicated in a number of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune processes based on its function and its pattern of regulation. To begin study of the transcriptional regulation of RANTES, we have determined the genomic organization of the gene encoding the small inducible cytokine A5 (Scya5) and performed an initial analysis of its promoter elements. The Scya5 gene is located on chromosome 11. By Southern blot, it is a single-copy gene approximately 4.5 kb long composed of 3 exons. This chromosomal localization and pattern of genomic organization is conserved among the other C-C subfamily of chemokines. Primer extension analysis was used to identify the transcriptional initiation site that is located 27 bp downstream of a typical TATAA box. Sequence analysis of 1040 bp 5' to the start site of the Scya5 gene revealed a number of regulatory motifs that are also shared among the chemokine family including a PU.1 box, a NF-kappa B, and an IFN regulatory factor-1 response element. This region of genomic DNA was also cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Transfection of this reporter construct into murine proximal tubular cells reveals that TNF-alpha can induce a transcriptional activation of the gene, as would be predicted from the rise in mRNA transcripts encoding RANTES in cells stimulated with TNF-alpha.

Cloning, genomic organization, and chromosomal localization of the Scya5 gene encoding the murine chemokine RANTES

RANTES is a member of the C-C subfamily of chemokines that functions as a proinflammatory chemoattractant for CD4+ T cells, monocytes, and eosinophils, and as an activator of basophils to release histamine. Like other members of the chemokine superfamily, RANTES has been implicated in a number of chronic inflammatory and autoimmune processes based on its function and its pattern of regulation. To begin study of the transcriptional regulation of RANTES, we have determined the genomic organization of the gene encoding the small inducible cytokine A5 (Scya5) and performed an initial analysis of its promoter elements. The Scya5 gene is located on chromosome 11. By Southern blot, it is a single-copy gene approximately 4.5 kb long composed of 3 exons. This chromosomal localization and pattern of genomic organization is conserved among the other C-C subfamily of chemokines. Primer extension analysis was used to identify the transcriptional initiation site that is located 27 bp downstream of a typical TATAA box. Sequence analysis of 1040 bp 5' to the start site of the Scya5 gene revealed a number of regulatory motifs that are also shared among the chemokine family including a PU.1 box, a NF-kappa B, and an IFN regulatory factor-1 response element. This region of genomic DNA was also cloned into a luciferase reporter vector. Transfection of this reporter construct into murine proximal tubular cells reveals that TNF-alpha can induce a transcriptional activation of the gene, as would be predicted from the rise in mRNA transcripts encoding RANTES in cells stimulated with TNF-alpha.

Analysis of the gene cluster encoding carotenoid biosynthesis in Erwinia herbicola Eho13

Erwinia herbicola is known to synthesize carotenoids and gives an orange-coloured phenotype. These carotenoids play a role in the protection of the cells from the damage caused by near-UV irradiation in nature. The genes encoding these carotenoids in E. herbicola Eho13 are clustered in a 7 kb DNA fragment. The complete sequence of this fragment has been determined. DNA sequence analysis revealed that the entire sequence contains at least five genes, which are transcribed in the same direction. These five genes are organized in the order crtE-crtX-crtY-crtI-crtB. A gene fusion study showed that two different regions in this 7 kb gene cluster contain promoter activity. Primer-extension analysis identified two transcription start sites, located 147 bp upstream from the first gene of the cluster, crtE, and within the last gene of the cluster, crtB. An RNA-PCR study suggested that the five crt genes were organized in an operon and were transcribed from the promoter upstream from crtE.

Acute focal bacterial nephritis presented as acute renal failure and hepatic dysfunction in a renal transplant recipient

We describe acute focal bacterial nephritis (AFBN) presented as acute renal failure and hepatic dysfunction in a renal transplant recipient. He had received a renal transplantation 5 years previously and maintained good renal function without an episode of acute rejection or any urinary abnormalities. He had been an HBsAg carrier and showed mild elevation of liver enzymes after renal transplantation. For 5 days before admission, the patient suffered from fever, graft kidney swelling, tenderness and oliguria. On admission, renal biopsy was performed and solumedrol pulse therapy was started under the impression of acute rejection. The following laboratory findings revealed acute renal failure and hepatic dysfunction. From the abdomen CT and renal biopsy findings this case was confirmed as AFBN in a grafted kidney. With successive hemodialysis and antibiotic therapy clinical symptoms and renal function improved promptly. In acute hepatic dysfunction we discontinued cyclosporine (CsA) to prevent irreversible fulminant hepatic failure until the normalization of liver function. It should be considered that AFBN must be included in the differential diagnosis of acute rejection, and the early diagnosis and treatment of AFBN is important to save the grafted kidney. In addition, early withdrawal of CsA is essential to prevent irreversible hepatic failure when infection triggers hepatic dysfunction in HBsAg-positive renal transplant recipients.

Primary aldosteronism detected after renal transplantation

A 44-year old female was admitted to our hospital for evaluation of uncontrolled hypertension. She received renal transplantation 3 months ago and suffered from a tingling sensation and weakness on both hands. Laboratory findings (low serum potassium, low plasma renin activity and elevated plasma aldosterone level) was consistent with primary aldosteronism. Through the postural study for plasma aldosterone and the adrenal CT finding we diagnosed this case as adrenal adenoma, which was confirmed by surgical removal. A retrospective review of medical records showed that characteristic findings in primary aldosteronism (hypokalemia and low plasma renin activity) were masked by renal failure and became evident after successful renal transplantation. It was suggested that impaired urinary potassium excretion and excess release of renin from the ischemic kidney masked the characteristic findings of primary aldosteronism. To our knowledge, this is the first report documenting the change of renin-angiotensin-aldosterone system after renal transplantation in a case of coexistence of primary aldosteronism and chronic renal failure.