Chronic administration of beta-adrenergic agonists can mimic the stimulative effect of cold exposure on protein synthesis in rat brown adipose tissue

When mammals are exposed to a cold environment for a long time, the capacity of nonshivering thermogenesis by brown adipose tissue (BAT) increases in association with the stimulation of synthesis of some specific proteins and tissue hyperplasia, which are totally dependent on sympathetic innervation to this tissue. To clarify the roles of the adrenergic mechanisms for the cold-induced protein synthesis and hyperplasia in BAT, in this study, the effects of chronic treatment with adrenergic agonists using an osmotic mini-pump were examined in rats. Continuous administration of noradrenaline or isoproterenol (beta-agonist) for 10 days resulted in increased synthesis of the mitochondrial uncoupling protein and an isoform of glucose transporter (GLUT4), and tissue hyperplasia, in the same way as after cold exposure of the same duration. Phenylephrine (alpha-agonist) administration did not have any significant effect. Surgical sympathetic denervation completely abolished the effects of cold exposure, whereas it did not influence those of adrenergic agonists at all. These results indicate that the stimulative effects of cold exposure on protein synthesis and hyperplasia of BAT are attributable solely to the beta-adrenergic action of noradrenaline secreted from the sympathetic nerves in this tissue.

Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia complicated by Garcin's syndrome

A 15-year-old girl was diagnosed as having acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL, FAB M2) in January 1990 and achieved complete remission with chemotherapy. She was readmitted to our hospital with a hearing disturbance and hoarseness in October 1990. A suprapharyngeal tumor was found on cranial MRI, and bone marrow leukemic cells were slightly increased in number. Involvement of leukemic cells was proven by biopsy of the tumor. Therefore, we made a diagnosis of ANLL relapse with Garcin's syndrome. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of leukemia complicated by Garcin's syndrome.

Are oxygen uptake kinetics at the onset of exercise speeded up by local metabolic status in active muscles?

To assess the rate-limiting factor of oxygen uptake (VO2) kinetics at the onset of exercise, six healthy male sedentary subjects performed repeated one-legged constant-load cycle exercise. The one-legged constant-load exercise test consisted of two 5-min periods of pedalling at an exercise intensity of 50 W, with a 5-min rest between periods (these exercise periods, i.e. first and second exercises, were performed by the same leg). The exercise was then repeated using the other leg. In addition, two-legged incremental exercise was investigated to establish whether VO2 kinetics were affected by slower heart rate kinetics. The incremental exercise test consisted of two-legged pedalling first with the cycle unloaded as a warm-up for 5 min followed by 50-W exercise for 5 min. The exercise intensity was then increased to 100 W for 5 min. During exercise, gas exchange parameters were determined by the breath-by-breath method and cardiac output (Qc) was determined continuously by an impedance technique with a computer-based automated system. To determine the kinetics of heart rate (HR), Qc, and VO2, a best fit procedure was employed using least-squares criteria with a time delay, except during the initial increase. During the one-legged constant-load exercise test, VO2 kinetics were significantly accelerated by repeated exercise using the same leg. On the other hand, when the exercise was changed to the other leg, VO2 kinetics were significantly slower, although Qc kinetics continued to be faster. During the incremental exercise test, although the HR response was slower at the transition from 50-W to 100-W exercise than at the transition from warm-up to 50-W exercise, there were no significant changes in VO2 kinetics.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Distribution of a Ca2+ storing site in PtK2 cells during interphase and mitosis. An immunocytochemical study using an antibody against calreticulin

To study the distribution of a major Ca(2+)-sequestering site in PtK2 cells, a rat kangaroo kidney epithelial cell line, during interphase and mitosis, we prepared an affinity-purified polyclonal antibody against bovine liver calreticulin (CRT), a major Ca(2+)-binding protein of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Immunofluorescence microscopy and immunoperoxidase electron microscopy showed that the anti-CRT antibody labeled a continuous reticular network of the ER and the nuclear envelope in interphase PtK2 cells. The same PtK2 cells double-stained with DiOC6 (3) and the anti-CRT antibody revealed labeling of identical reticular membranes. In contrast to the localization in the ER localization, the mitochondria and the Golgi apparatus were not labeled. These results confirm the exclusive localization of CRT in the ER and that this organelle is a major site for Ca2+ storage in non-muscle cells. In mitotic cells, marked changes of the labeled structure began at prophase-prometaphase and persisted throughout all phases of mitosis. The cytoplasm of the mitotic cells showed diffuse fluorescence, this being more intense around, but not inside, the mitotic spindle. Confocal microscopy and immunoelectron microscopy demonstrated that the CRT-containing membranes changed to segmented tubuloreticular structures, which were concentrated around the mitotic spindle. The ER containing CRT could be responsible for the sequestration of Ca2+ and for the regulation of the concentration of this cation during mitosis, as well as during interphase.

Three cases of grouped pigmentation of the retina

We examined three patients with congenital grouped pigmentation of the retina by means of electroretinography, electro-oculography and visually evoked cortical potentials. Two patients were affected bilaterally and 1 had a unilateral condition. Electrophysiological findings were normal in all patients, and no inheritance patterns for the disease were found in any of the patients' histories. Only 5 cases of this disease have been reported in Asian countries in recent years. We believe that our patients contribute to the sample of such cases regarding racial prevalence.

Non-invasive measurement of brain activity using functional MRI: toward the study of brain response to acupuncture stimulation

We studied functional MRI in 15 male and 13 female normal volunteers on a clinical MRI system using gradient echo sequence. During the experiments, brain activation was induced by grasping the unilateral hand once or twice a second for motor tasks. A localized increase of MRI signal in the contralateral motor cortex was observed in 17 out of 21 cases (81%) under right hand motor task and 11 out of 21 cases (52%) under left hand motor task. The application of this method may be useful to evaluate brain response to acupuncture.

Evaluation of Uniform-Sized Microcapsules Using a Vibration-Nozzle Method

In order to prepare microcapsules (MC) using polyvinylacetal diethyl-aminoacetate (AEA) gel, we have studied both the unique properties of AEA gel, in which cold-water solution forms a hard gel with exclusion of water at high temperature, and the microencapsulation technique for clarithromycin (CAM), which has an unpleasant taste (1, 2). In our previous paper (3), we described a new uniform-sized microencapsulation machine with a vibration nozzle with 536 holes 100µ in diameter designed for precise regulation of dissolution of CAM from MC.In order to evaluate the MC thus obtained, we prepared syrups (without water) by adding sweetening agents to MC, and conducted a dissolution test at various pHs using the method described in the Japanese Pharmacopoeia (12th edition), a test for bitter taste and a test to determine bioavailability (BA) in human subjects. At pHs below 4.0,100% of CAM in MC was dissolved from the syrup within 5min. However, there was little dissolution of CAM from syrup at pH6.8. The results of the test for bitter taste showed that the syrup preparations, which were administered to 12 male and female volunteers with 20ml water, masked bitter taste completely during the 60min period following administration of the syrup. The mean area under the serum concentration-time curve (AUCo-24) and the maximum serum concentration (Cmax) for administration of syrup preparations to 6 male volunteers were 5.66 ± 0.73µg·hr/ml and 0.66 ± 0.13µg/ml, respectively. Blood concentration was maintained at a level above the minimum inhibitory concentration for gram-positive bacteria for a period of about 14hr after administration, demonstrating the usefulness of the syrup preparation.

Laparoscopically assisted distal partial gastrectomy for early-stage gastric carcinomas

Endoscopic mucosal resection (EMR) is now in clinical use for the management of small, early-stage gastric, carcinomas, although some patients are treated via laparotomy when the lesions are not suitable for, EMR due to their size, depth, and location. In many cases of invasive mucosal carcinoma with submucosal involvement, the regional lymph nodes along with the distal portion of the stomach must also be resected. In order to remove the whole resected specimen, a mini-laparotomy of appropriate length (5 cm) is performed which can be located at the optical port site after removing the laparoscope. By applying an abdominal wall elevator through the mini-laparotomy, direct vision is possible which facilitates resection of the regional lymph nodes and intestinal anastomosis. We describe our technique for laparoscopically assisted distal gastrectomy and present our early clinical results.

"Boomerang" rectus abdominis musculocutaneous free flap in head and neck reconstruction

Immediate head and neck reconstruction after cancer resection using the "boomerang" rectus abdominis musculocutaneous (RAM) free flap was performed in 13 patients over the past 2 years. The skin paddle of the flap is designed as a boomerang shape based on the anatomical construction of the dominant perforators from the inferior epigastric vascular system. A versatile technique of the boomerang RAM flap provides effective use for reconstruction of the complex defects at the skull base, orbital, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, oropharynx, palate, buccal mucosa, tongue, floor of mouth, and neck. It also allows a reconstructive surgical team to elevate the flap simultaneously with a head and neck surgical team before the size and location of the defect are exactly determined and greatly reduces operating time. This flap will be a routine technique for immediate head and neck reconstruction after cancer resection.

Mating variation by DNA inversions of shufflon in plasmid R64

Gene organization of the 54-kb transfer region of IncI1 plasmid R64 was deduced from the DNA sequence. Forty-eight ORFs were found in this region. A unique DNA rearrangement designated shufflon is located at the downstream region of an operon responsible for synthesis of thin pilus. The shufflon of R64 consists of four DNA segments, designated as A, B, C, and D, which are flanked and separated by seven 19-bp repeat sequences. Site-specific recombination mediated by the product of the rci gene between any two inverted repeats results in a complex DNA rearrangement. An analysis of open reading frames revealed that the shufflon is a biological switch to select one of seven C-terminal segments of the pilV genes. The products of pilV genes were shown to be components of thin pilus which was required for liquid mating. Seven R64 derivatives where the pilV genes were fixed in the seven C-terminal segments were constructed and their transfer frequencies in liquid mating were measured using various bacterial strains as recipients. Transfer frequencies of R64 in liquid mating strongly depended on the combination of C-terminal segments of the pilV genes in donor cells and bacterial strains of recipient cells, suggesting that the shufflon determines the recipient specificity in liquid mating of plasmid R64.

Isolation of methicillin-resistant staphylococci in the dental operatory

The state of contamination by methicillin-resistant Staphylococci, including methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) at the conservative dentistry section of the School of Dentistry, Aichi-Gakuin University, was investigated. Methicillin-resistant coagulase-negative Staphylococci (MRCNS) were detected in 8 (20.5%) of 39 dental staff (28 dentists, 8 dental hygienists, and 3 dental assistants), but MRSA was not detected. MRCNS was also detected in locations such as the dental chair, dental bracket, dental cabinet, and floor, as well as in airborne samples. The presence of the same strain in both the oral cavity of staff persons and the dental chair/floor locations was determined by biochemical properties, antibiotic sensitivity tests, and electrophoretic patterns.

Relationship between atrial natriuretic peptide and plasma volume during graded exercise with water immersion

To assess the relationship between atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and the reduction in plasma volume (PV) during exercise, we measured changes in PV and ANP in seven male volunteers during treadmill exercise in air (AE) and with water immersion (WE) together with time control studies of rest in air and in water. Blood samples were collected from a catheter in the antecubital vein at exercise intensities of 32, 49, 65, and 78% of peak oxygen consumption (VO2). Plasma ANP in AE increased significantly from the resting value [15 +/- 1 (SE) pg/ml] only at 78% of peak VO2 (29 +/- 5 pg/ml), whereas ANP in WE increased significantly at exercise levels of > 49% of peak VO2 and reached 68 +/- 9 pg/ml at 78% of peak VO2. Although PV in AE and WE decreased significantly with VO2 of > 49% of peak VO2 (P < 0.01), the decrease from the resting value in WE was significantly greater than that in AE of > 65% of peak VO2 (P < 0.01) and the decreases at 78% of peak VO2 were -9.7 +/- 0.8 and -6.1 +/- 1.7%, respectively. The difference in the decrease in PV between AE and WE at corresponding VO2 correlated strongly with that in the increase in ANP (r = -0.97; P < 0.01). These results are consistent with the hypothesis that ANP may be involved in the fluid shift from the intra- to extravascular space during exercise.

[Thymoma associated with progressive systemic sclerosis--a case report]

A 59-year-old man was admitted to hospital with sclerodactyly and high grade fever. He complained of wrist joint pain and swelling of bilateral hands. Despite of administration of non steroid anti-inflammatory drug and steroid the symptoms were progressive and sclerodactyly spreaded to the forearm. Through the results of the laboratory examination, he was diagnosed as progressive systemic sclerosis (PSS). Chest CT scan showed an anterior mediastinal tumor, and histological examination revealed a spindle cell type thymoma with mild lymphocytic infiltration. During hospitalization, the pulse therapy of steroid was administrated. Progressive sclerodactyly and interstitial pneumonia were improved, but stiffness of hand and joint pain was not diminished. In expectation of improvement of the symptoms, mediastinal tumor was removed. Histological diagnosis was thymoma of epitherial type. After surgery, symptoms decreased and at last diminished, dosage of steroid could be tapered.

Immunohistochemical analysis of rat and human respiratory cilia with anti-dynein antibody: comparison between normal cilia and pathological cilia in primary ciliary dyskinesia

Wistar Imamichi rat and human respiratory cilia were examined with anti-dynein antibody (AD2), which is specific for sea urchin sperm flagellar dynein. AD2-labelled fresh-frozen normal rat and human cilia stained clearly by immunofluorescence and the peroxidase-antiperoxidase (PAP) technique. On immunoelectron microscopy, AD2 labelled the outer dynein arms of normal human cilia. Paraffin-embedded normal human cilia also stained by immunofluorescence, although not always clearly. Neither the cilia of WIC-Hyd male rats, an animal model of Kartagener's syndrome, nor human cilia from patients with primary ciliary dyskinesia (PCD) reacted positively by the immunofluorescence or PAP technique. Western blots of normal rat cilia yielded a single band of about 450 kDa. In conclusion, AD2 recognizes the outer arm dynein heavy chains of healthy cilia and may be useful in diagnosing and classifying PCD light microscopically especially when only paraffin-embedded specimens are available. This approach may be of potential use for better defining and classifying PCD.

Cloning of the rat Gadd45 cDNA and its mRNA expression in the brain

We cloned the rat Gadd45 (growth arrest and DNA damage inducible) cDNA and examined its mRNA induction by gamma-ray irradiation in the rat brain. The rat Gadd45 cDNA sequence was highly homologous to the previously published human and hamster cDNAs, and was partially similar to the 28S rRNA gene. The mRNA encoding rat GADD45 was induced in the brain after gamma-ray irradiation. This finding indicates that Gadd45 is an inducible gene following the ionizing radiation, not only in cultured cells in vitro, but also in animal tissues in vivo.

Arginine becomes an essential amino acid after massive resection of rat small intestine

We compared effects of feeding arginine- and/or proline- deficient diets (-Arg, -Pro, and -Arg, Pro) with those of a complete diet (Complete) in rats whose small intestine had been massively resected. After 4 weeks, the rats fed -Arg and -Arg, Pro lost weight (a mean of 28 and 32 g, respectively), whereas those fed Complete and -Pro gained 80 and 58 g, respectively. The average nitrogen balance was about 117,100, -20 and -14 mg/day for Complete, -Pro, -Arg, and -Arg, Pro diets, respectively. The concentration of arginine in skeletal muscle was about 310, 330, 91, and 65 nmol/g for Complete, -Pro, -Arg, and -Arg, Pro, respectively; while plasma arginine concentration averaged 95, 107, 56, and 46 microM, respectively. The weight loss, the negative nitrogen balance, and the markedly reduced arginine concentration in the muscle observed in rats fed -Arg and -Arg, Pro clearly indicate that arginine becomes a strictly essential amino acid in the rats with massive resection of the small intestine. However, sufficient proline can be synthesized from arginine in tissues such as the liver and kidney in the absence of the small intestine. Plasma glutamine, citrulline in the muscle and plasma, urinary excretion of orotic acid and nitrate (to assess nitric oxide formation from arginine) were also measured, and the changes in these metabolites are discussed.

Hereditary cerebellar vermis defect in the Lewis rat

We report a new rat model of hereditary cerebellar vermis defect. Mutant rats exhibited hind-leg paralysis from about 14 days old. Gross pathology showed the cerebellar vermis defect, fused cerebellar hemispheres and cyst formation. Ectopic dysplastic cerebellar tissues existed in the cerebello-pontine junctional zones. Mild disarrangement of lamination was also observed in the fused cerebellar hemispheres. The present mutant may serve as a valid model for studying the cerebellar vermis defect under the genetic control.

LPS induces selective translocation of protein kinase C-beta in LPS-responsive mouse macrophages, but not in LPS-nonresponsive mouse macrophages

Translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) after PMA or LPS stimulation has been studied in thioglycolate (TGC)-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. Among the PKC subtypes we examined (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) by indirect immunostaining and immunoblot analysis, conventional PKC-beta, as well as novel PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon were found to exist in TGC-elicited C3H/HeN mouse macrophages. Translocation of PKC-beta to the Triton-stable cytoskeleton could be seen in macrophages after stimulation by both PMA and LPS. On the other hand, novel PKCs redistributed only after PMA stimulation. Macrophages obtained from LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice also exhibited PKC-beta, and the m.w., cellular distribution, and cellular content of this enzyme could not be distinguished from those of C3H/HeN macrophages. These macrophages exhibited PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon, as did the C3H/HeN macrophages. In these macrophages, however, LPS did not induce any remarkable change in the intracellular distribution of PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon or PKC-beta, whereas PMA was able to induce the translocation of PKC-beta to the cytoskeleton. These results suggest that LPS stimulation induces selective redistribution of PKC-beta in LPS-responsive macrophages, whereas a defect related to LPS unresponsiveness exists in C3H/HeJ mouse macrophages before the PKC activation. Translocation of PKC-beta can be understood to be an important event in LPS signaling in macrophages.

Deficiency of endogenous arginine synthesis provokes hypertension by exhausting substrate arginine for nitric oxide synthesis

Effect of deficiency in endogenous arginine synthesis was studied in connection with NO synthesis and blood pressure. Rats with massive resection of small intestine were fed an arginine-free diet (AF rats) for 24 days. Control rats were pair-fed an isonitrogenous and isocaloric arginine-replete diet. AF rats lost weight by a mean of 28 g whereas control rats kept original weight. Urinary excretion of nitrate and cGMP was reduced in AF rats by about 40% after the feeding. Blood pressure became elevated by 20-25 mmHg in AF rats after the feeding. The concentrations of arginine in muscle and plasma of AF rats were reduced to 17 and 39%, respectively, of control rats. AF rats may be a novel animal model for the in vivo study of NO.

LPS induces selective translocation of protein kinase C-beta in LPS-responsive mouse macrophages, but not in LPS-nonresponsive mouse macrophages

Translocation of protein kinase C (PKC) after PMA or LPS stimulation has been studied in thioglycolate (TGC)-elicited murine peritoneal macrophages. Among the PKC subtypes we examined (alpha, beta, gamma, delta, and epsilon) by indirect immunostaining and immunoblot analysis, conventional PKC-beta, as well as novel PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon were found to exist in TGC-elicited C3H/HeN mouse macrophages. Translocation of PKC-beta to the Triton-stable cytoskeleton could be seen in macrophages after stimulation by both PMA and LPS. On the other hand, novel PKCs redistributed only after PMA stimulation. Macrophages obtained from LPS-nonresponsive C3H/HeJ mice also exhibited PKC-beta, and the m.w., cellular distribution, and cellular content of this enzyme could not be distinguished from those of C3H/HeN macrophages. These macrophages exhibited PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon, as did the C3H/HeN macrophages. In these macrophages, however, LPS did not induce any remarkable change in the intracellular distribution of PKC-delta and PKC-epsilon or PKC-beta, whereas PMA was able to induce the translocation of PKC-beta to the cytoskeleton. These results suggest that LPS stimulation induces selective redistribution of PKC-beta in LPS-responsive macrophages, whereas a defect related to LPS unresponsiveness exists in C3H/HeJ mouse macrophages before the PKC activation. Translocation of PKC-beta can be understood to be an important event in LPS signaling in macrophages.

CD11/CD18 and ICAM-1 expression in a murine foreign body granulomatous lung model

The expression of leukocyte adhesion molecules (Leu-CAM; CD11/CD18 family) and ICAM-1 was studied on bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) cells and lung tissue sections from a mouse lung granulomatous model. When foreign body lung granuloma were induced in mice by intratracheal injection of 1.5 x 10(4) Sephadex G-50 beads, total and differential BAL cell counts demonstrated a maximal recovery of macrophages and neutrophils at 3 days. Indirect immunoperoxidase staining patterns indicated that intratracheal challenge with beads activated BAL cells and upregulated expression of CD11b, ICAM-1, and CD18 antigenic markers on macrophages and neutrophils when compared with BAL cells from saline controls. Immunohistochemical staining also confirmed the presence of CD11b on activated macrophages and neutrophils around the beads and of the ICAM-1 antigen in the lung parenchyma of bead challenged mice.

Effect of CL 316,243, a novel beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist, on insulin secretion in perfused mouse pancreas

In order to clarify the insulin-release mechanism of beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist, we examined the effect of CL 316,243, a highly specific beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist having a relative potency of beta 1:beta 2:beta 3 = 0:1:100,000, on insulin secretion in perfused mouse pancreas. The application of 0.2 mM and 0.5 mM CL 316,243 produced significant insulin secretion from within 1 min, which lasted until 2 min after its withdrawal. DL-propranolol and ICI 118551 at 0.2 mM partially inhibited the insulin secretion induced by the 0.2 mM CL 316,243, but 0.2 mM metoprolol had no effect on the insulin release produced by 0.2 mM CL 316,243. We conclude that beta 3-adrenoceptor agonist stimulates insulin secretion via beta 3-action in the perfused mouse pancreas.