Angiotensin II stimulates peptide leukotriene production by guinea pig airway via the AT1 receptor pathway

Angiotensin II (Ang II) regulates a variety of physiological functions, including contraction of smooth muscle. Peptide leukotrienes (LTs) have recently been reported to be potent bronchoconstrictors and may play a role in the pathogenesis of airway inflammation. However, the possibility that Ang II and peptide LTs interact in the control of airway function has not been studied. In this study, we showed that Ang II receptors are present on guinea pig airway, and that they are of the AT1 subtype. We showed the possibility that Ang II induced the release of peptide LTs from guinea pig airway by activation of the AT1 receptor pathway. Our findings thus suggest that interaction between Ang II and peptide LTs might increase airway inflammation in the guinea pig.

Augmented production of tumor necrosis factor-alpha in obese mice

Non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus develops in obesity. The insulin resistance of this disease may be mediated by tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha). In particular, the TNF-alpha derived from adipose tissues might be involved in the induction of peripheral insulin resistance in rodent models of obesity. In general, monocytes/macrophages have been considered as the major source of TNF-alpha. This study was designed to examine the potential production of TNF-alpha from monocyte/macrophages in obese mice. In obese (ob/ob) and obese diabetic (db/db) mice, both of which are known to have severe insulin resistance, unstimulated serum bioactivity of TNF-alpha was significantly higher than that in lean control mice. Spontaneous TNF-alpha mRNA expression in splenic macrophages was also enhanced in obese mice, but not in monosodium-L-glutamate (MST)-induced obese mice which have no insulin resistance. In addition, both ob/ob and db/db mice produce more TNF-alpha than lean mice upon in vivo lipopolysaccharide (LPS) stimulation. The LPS-induced increase in serum TNF-alpha activity was not observed in MSG-induced obese mice. Taken together, it is postulated that TNF-alpha produced by monocytes/macrophages may also play an important role in the genesis of insulin resistance in obesity. Further study is needed to reveal the mechanism of enhanced TNF-alpha production in obese states and its possible etiologic relevance to obesity.

Strain difference of the adrenal cortex between A/J and SM/J mice, progenitors of SMXA recombinant inbred group

The recombinant inbred (RI) mouse group is useful for genetic analysis of a phenotype which is regulated by multiple loci. The female adrenal cortex was compared histologically to detect the strain differences between A/J and SM/J for the purpose of genetic analysis of adrenocortical morphogenesis using the SMXA RI group constructed between A/J and SM/J. Clear morphological differences were found in the zona reticularis and X zone in addition to the significantly small body and adrenal weights in SM/J. The z. reticularis was markedly thicker in SM/J than in A/J and the X zone was constituted of vacuolated cells in A/J and non-vacuolated cells in SM/J. The genetic control of these morphological traits was analyzed using SMXA RI strains. The results suggest that the thickness of the z. reticularis may be controlled by single locus and that vacuolation of the X zone by 3 different loci between A/J and SM/J.

Adrenocortical zonation in chamois-coloured mastomys, Praomys coucha

Body and adrenal weights, and histology of the adrenal cortex were examined in the chamois-coloured mastomys (Praomys coucha) at inbred generations 3 to 10. Body and adrenal weights were consistently larger in males than in females, although the adrenal to body weight ratios tended to be lower before 50 days of age and were clearly higher after. Distinct sex differences were found in the adrenal cortex. The whole cortex and the zona reticularis were thicker in males and the zona reticularis became thicker in males, but thinner in females with age. The border zone characteristics of females of the wild-coloured mastomys strain, was not formed in the chamois-coloured strain. This was a very unique, interesting strain difference. Comparative studies of both strains may contribute to elucidation of the mechanism of border zone formation in the mastomys adrenal cortex.

Interleukin-1 inhibits keratan sulfate production by rabbit chondrocytes: possible role of prostaglandin E2

We investigated the importance of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) release in interleukin-1 (IL-1)-induced inhibition of aggrecan synthesis by chondrocytes. Keratan sulfate (KS) production was measured in parallel with PGE2 release in chondrocytes. IL-1 inhibited KS production and stimulated PGE2 release. In the presence of PGE2, there was a dose-dependent decrease in baseline KS production. Indomethacin and dexamethasone partially blocked the IL-1-induced PGE2 release while KS production recovered. Our results suggest that IL-1 inhibits KS production, in part, by stimulating the release of PGE2.

Elicitation of nickel sulfate (NiSO4)-specific delayed-type hypersensitivity requires early-occurring and early-acting, NiSO4-specific DTH-initiating cells with an unusual mixed phenotype for an antigen-specific cell

The elicitation in immunized mice of delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) responses to nickel sulfate (NiSO4) was found to be mediated by the sequential activities of two different antigen-specific Thy-1+ cells. Early-acting (2-hr) NiSO4-specific, DTH-initiating cells were required for elicitation of subsequent 24-hr NiSO4-specific DTH and had an unusual phenotype for an antigen-specific cell (Thy-1+, CD5+, CD3-, CD4-, CD8- CD23+, CD45RA+ (B220+), IL-2R-, IL-3R+, sIg-, MHC Class II-, Mel-14-, CD44+ (Pgp-1+), J11d+ (HSA+), MAC-1+, LFA-1, and Fc gamma II-R+). In contrast, the late-acting, NiSO4-specific DTH-effector T cells were: Thy-1+, CD5+, CD3+, CD4+, CD8-, CD23-, B220-, IL-2R+, IL-3R-, sIg-, MHC Class II-, Mel-14+, CD44- (Pgp-1-), J11d- (HSA-), MAC-1-, LFA-1+, and Fc gamma II-R-. Our results led us to surmise that the early-acting DTH-initiating cells were necessary to locally recruit the late-acting effector T cells. Relatively high doses of anti-B220 (CD45RA) and anti-CD23 (IgE Fc epsilon RII receptor) monoclonal antibodies were necessary to completely eliminate all DTH-initiating cells, and therefore completely block subsequent expression of some late NiSO4-specific DTH activity that was due to the late-acting DTH effector T cells. In addition, we found that mast cells were important for expression of early-acting, DTH-initiating cell activity in this NiSO4-specific, DTH system. This was probably due to the absence of mast cells in mast cell-deficient WBB6F1-W/Wv mice. Our results indicated that two different antigen-specific Thy-1+ cells are necessary to elicit NiSO4-specific DTH in mice and that mast cells are necessary for expression of the early component that is due to early-acting, DTH-initiating cells.

Intestinal obstruction in an infant due to magnet ingestion

A case of intestinal obstruction in an infant due to magnet ingestion is reported. The 17-month-old female swallowed seven small magnets, and developed an acute intestinal obstruction. At laparotomy, a fistula between the jejunum and the ileum which contained the seven magnets was found and resected. The patient's postoperative recovery was uneventful. Accidental magnet ingestion mandates careful observation for the development of intestinal obstruction.

[Antimicrobial activities of piperacillin against fresh clinically isolated strains]

In order to evaluate the antimicrobial activity of piperacillin (PIPC), along with control agents, minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC's) were determined against fresh clinically isolated strains from January to June, 1994. 1. The MIC70's of PIPC against major strains were approximately equal to those reported in the mid 1980s. 2. Strains for the study were supplied in approximately equal numbers from community-acquired hospitals and general hospitals. The ratios of bacteria resistant to beta-lactams including PIPC were low in the former group and high in the latter. 3. "New types of beta-lactam-resistant strains" which did not exist in mid 1980s but found at this time included benzylpenicillin (PCG)-insensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae, PCG-resistant S. pneumoniae, cephems-resistant Escherichia coli and beta-lactamase producing Prevotella spp. These bacteria were also found among strains obtained from community-acquired hospitals.

Prevalence and work-relatedness of self-reported carpal tunnel syndrome among U.S. workers: analysis of the Occupational Health Supplement data of 1988 National Health Interview Survey

To estimate the prevalence and work-relatedness of self-reported carpal tunnel syndrome (CTS) among U.S. workers, data from the Occupational Health Supplement of 1988 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) were analyzed. Among 127 million "recent" workers" who worked during the 12 months prior to the survey, 1.47% (95% CI: 1.30; 1.65), or 1.87 million self-reported CTS, and 0.53% (95% CI: 0.42; 0.65), or 675,000, stated that their prolonged hand discomfort was called CTS by a medical person. Occupations with the highest prevalence of self-reported CTS were mail service, health care, construction, and assembly and fabrication. Industries with the highest prevalence were food products, repair services, transportation, and construction. The risk factor most strongly associated with medically called CTS was exposure to repetitive bending/twisting of the hands/wrists at work (OR = 5.2), followed by race (OR = 4.2; whites higher than nonwhites), gender (OR = 2.2; females higher than males), use of vibrating hand tools (OR = 1.8), and age (OR = 1.03; risk increasing per year). This result is consistent with previous reports in that repeated bending/twisting of the hands and wrists during manual work is etiologically related to occupational carpal tunnel syndrome.

Correlation between canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity and radical production

We investigated the relationship between natural killer (NK) mediated cytotoxicity and radical production in canine peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBLs). Canine NK cell mediated cytotoxicity, measured by 51Cr release assay, was found to be the highest in the T-cell (Thymus cell) subpopulation which partitioned into the 35-40% percoll fraction by centrifugation through a discontinuous gradient. Radical production showed a similar tendency in luminol-dependent chemiluminescence (CL) assay. Furthermore, enrichment of large granular lymphocytes (LGL) was observed in the cell fraction from the same percoll density. These results suggest that NK cell mediated cytotoxicity is related to radical production in canines.

[Antimicrobial activities of sulbactam/ampicillin against clinically isolated microbial strains]

Antimicrobial activities were examined for sulbactam/ampicillin (SBT/ABPC) against clinically isolated microbial strains in 1987, 1990, 1994. Besides, the beta-lactamase productivity and MICs of these strains were measured, and the following conclusions were obtained. 1. The ratio of beta-lactamase producing strains were 90% of methicillin (DMPPC)-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus subsp. aureus (MSSA), about 80% of DMPPC-resistant S. aureus (MRSA), 100% of Escherichia coli, Klebsiella pneumoniae subsp. pneumoniae and Proteus mirabilis, 95% of Moraxella subgenus Branhamella catarrhalis and 15-20% of Haemophilus influenzae. Several kinds of beta-lactamase productivity were observed. 2. Antimicrobial activities of SBT/ABPC against beta-lactamase producing strains of MSSA, M. (B.) catarrhalis, H. influenzae, and almost all of Enterobacteriaceae were stronger than those of ampicillin (ABPC) and piperacillin (PIPC), but antimicrobial activities of SBT/ABPC were weak against MRSA and cephems (CEPs)-resistant strains detected in some of Enterobacteriaceae. 3. It appeared that benzylpenicillin (PCG)-insensitive Streptococcus pneumoniae (PISP) or PCG-resistant S. pneumoniae (PRSP) and CEPs-resistant Escherichia coli increased year by year. 4. Antimicrobial activities of SBT/ABPC were strong against Streptococcus pyogenes, S. pneumoniae, M. (B.) catarrhalis and H. influenzae including beta-lactamase producing strains. Additionally, beta-lactamase inhibiting effect of SBT was observed against beta-lactamase produced by S. aureus and K. pneumoniae which demonstrate indirect pathogenicity. Thus, SBT/ABPC is an injectable antibiotic that is expected to demonstrate clinical usefulness, especially as the first line drug for the respiratory tract infections that are community-acquired.

A case of AIDS-related hepatic Kaposi's sarcoma

In Japan, Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is a very rare neoplasm. However, it does occur as one of the complications in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). AIDS-related KS commonly involves the skin, lymph nodes, and gastrointestinal tract. Hepatic KS is sometimes observed in AIDS patients at autopsy, but it is very rarely diagnosed during life. We report a case of hepatic KS in an AIDS patient, detected by ultrasonography (US), computed tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during life and proven at autopsy. Abdominal US revealed multiple hyperechoic tumors along the portal vein. CT scan showed low density and delayed enhancement by contrast material. These tumors were revealed as a low intensity area on a T1-weighted image of MRI and as a high intensity area on T2-weighted and proton density images. US, CT scan, and MRI revealed characteristic findings of hepatic KS. These procedures are very useful for the diagnosis of hepatic KS. To our knowledge, this is the first report of hepatic KS in Japan.

Progress of myelination in the human fetal spinal nerve roots, spinal cord and brainstem with myelin basic protein immunohistochemistry

The early progress of myelination was studied, by means of myelin basic protein (MBP) immunohistochemistry and luxol-fast-blue (LFB) staining, in the spinal cord, spinal nerve roots and brainstem of 66 fetuses and neonates. The degree of myelination was classified from 1 (slight) to 4 (mature). MBP immunoreactivity exhibited slight LFB positivity. Myelination first occurred in the medial longitudinal fasciculus at 20 weeks of age, reaching degree 4 at 34 weeks, but began at 23-24 weeks in the other sites. Myelination of spinal nerve roots progressed with gestation and attained degree 4 at 35-36 weeks. The cuneate fasciculus also reached degree 4 at 34-36 weeks, but corticospinal tracts and solitary tracts, which exhibited long myelinating phases, were slow and incomplete at 40 weeks. This normal development of MBP and LFB myelination can be used for the assessment of delayed myelination in fetal and neonatal diseases.

Sodefrin: a female-attracting peptide pheromone in newt cloacal glands

A decapeptide called sodefrin was isolated from the abdominal gland of the cloaca of the male red-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. The native peptide, as well as the synthetic one, had a female-attracting activity. Sodefrin was found in the apical portion of the epithelial cells of the abdominal gland. Sodefrin is apparently species specific because it did not attract females of Cynops ensicauda. This is the first amphibian pheromone to be identified and the first peptide pheromone identified in a vertebrate.

Sodefrin: a female-attracting peptide pheromone in newt cloacal glands

A decapeptide called sodefrin was isolated from the abdominal gland of the cloaca of the male red-bellied newt, Cynops pyrrhogaster. The native peptide, as well as the synthetic one, had a female-attracting activity. Sodefrin was found in the apical portion of the epithelial cells of the abdominal gland. Sodefrin is apparently species specific because it did not attract females of Cynops ensicauda. This is the first amphibian pheromone to be identified and the first peptide pheromone identified in a vertebrate.

The overexpression of elongation factor 1 gamma mRNA in gastric carcinoma

BACKGROUND

Elongation factor 1 gamma (EF1 gamma) has been isolated from a pancreatic cancer cell line, while the overexpression of EF1 gamma has also been observed in colorectal carcinomas and adenomas. There is, however, still little information on the expression of EF1 gamma in gastric carcinoma.

METHODS

The authors examined the expression of EF1 gamma mRNA in 30 gastric carcinomas and their corresponding paired adjacent normal mucosae obtained during surgery while also examining 10 human digestive tract carcinoma cell lines using Northern blot hybridization.

RESULTS

An overexpression was observed in 22 (73%) of 30 gastric carcinomas, relative to the corresponding normal tissue. In a clinicopathologic study, no relationship was observed between the overexpression of EF1 gamma mRNA and the histologic grading or depth of tumor invasion. However, 15 (68%) of 22 overexpressed cases were positive for vascular permeation, whereas only 1 of 8 nonoverexpressed cases was positive for vascular permeation, and the difference was significant (P < 0.05). Nine (90%) of 10 with more than a 10-fold overexpression relative to the corresponding normal tissue showed severe vascular permeation in the histologic specimens. Conversely, the expression of EF1 gamma was observed not only in the pancreatic and gastric carcinoma cell lines, but also in the hepatic, ileocecal, duodenal, and colon carcinoma cell lines.

CONCLUSIONS

The overexpression of EF1 gamma mRNA was observed in both the gastric carcinoma tissue and in all the other cell lines examined. This probable correlation with vascular permeation in gastric carcinoma is thus considered to provide another piece of useful pathologic information.

Wortmannin, a specific inhibitor of phosphatidylinositol-3 kinase, blocks osteoclastic bone resorption

The biological role of phosphatidylinositol (PI)-3 kinase was examined in osteoclast-like multinucleated cells (OCLs) formed in co-cultures of mouse osteoblastic cells and bone marrow cells. The expression of PI-3 kinase in OCLs was confirmed by Western blot analysis. Wortmannin (WT), a specific inhibitor of PI-3 kinase, inhibited PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs both in vitro and in vivo. WT also inhibited pit-forming activity on dentine slices and disrupted a ringed structure of F-actin-containing dots (an actin ring) in OCLs in a dose-dependent manner. The inhibitory profiles of WT for pit and actin ring formation were similar to that for PI-3 kinase activity in OCLs. Electron microscopic analysis revealed that OCLs treated with WT did not form ruffled borders. Instead, numerous electron lucent vacuoles of differing sizes were found throughout the cytoplasm. These results suggest that PI-3 kinase is important in osteoclastic bone resorption.

Direct determination of E2020 enantiomers in plasma by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry and column-switching techniques

High-performance liquid chromatography with column switching and mass spectrometry (MS) was applied to the on-line determination and resolution of the enantiomers of E2020 (acetylcholinesterase inhibitor) in plasma. This system employs two avidin columns and fast atom bombardment (FAB)-MS. A plasma sample was injected directly into an avidin trapping column (10 mm x 4.0 mm I.D.). The plasma protein was washed out from the trapping column immediately while E2020 was retained. After the column-switching procedure, E2020 was separated enantioselectivity in an avidin analytical column. The separated E2020 enantiomers were specifically detected by FAB-MS without interference from metabolites of E2020 and plasma constituents. The limit of quantification for each enantiomer of E2020 in plasma was 1.0 ng/ml and the intra- and inter-assay relative standard deviations for the method were less than 5.2%. The assay was validated for enantioselective pharmacokinetic studies in the dog.

The role of extrinsic nervous system in jejunal absorption during elevation of intraluminal pressure in anesthetized dogs

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of the extrinsic nervous system in jejunal absorption under elevated intraluminal pressure of the jejunum. Increase in intraluminal pressure from 0 to 70-100 mmHg decreased net absorption of fluid, Na+ and Cl-, from 7.6 +/- 0.5 to 5.6 +/- 0.3 ml/15 min, 1.1 +/- 0.1 to 0.7 +/- 0.1 mEq/15 min, and 1.2 +/- 0.1 to 0.8 +/- 0.1 mEq/15 min, respectively. To examine the role of the extrinsic nervous system in the depressed net jejunal absorption induced by the increase in intraluminal pressure, jejunal afferent and efferent nerve activities were measured in response to the increase in intraluminal pressure. Both afferent and efferent nerve activities increased to 224 +/- 14 and 236 +/- 18% in response to the increase in intraluminal pressure. In the extrinsic denervated jejunal loop, the responses of net absorption to the elevation of intraluminal pressure were quite different from those in innervated jejunum. That is, in the denervated jejunal loop the elevation of intraluminal pressure converted jejunal absorption to jejunal secretion. These results indicate that elevation of intraluminal pressure elicits the jejuno-jejunal reflex, and this mechanism counteracts jejunal secretion.

High-molecular-size mite allergens with high carbohydrate content in mite extract containing mite feces of Dermatophagoides farinae

A series of mite allergens with high carbohydrate content was fractionated from mite extract containing mite feces by ultrafiltration, and successive chromatography on Ultrogel AcA 54, Sepharose CL-6B, and DEAE Toyopearl 650S. The final fractions isolated were termed HM1-2-Eff, -0.1A, -0.1B, -0.3A, -0.3B, and -1M according to the eluted salt concentration. These six fractions were stained weakly with Coomassie Brilliant Blue but strongly with periodate-Schiff's reagent on SDS-PAGE. Their molecular weight were estimated to be 150-155 KD on Sepharose CL-6B. All of these six fractions provoked strong erythema in skin of mite-sensitive and asthmatic patients. HM1-2-Eff, -0.1A, -0.1B and -0.3B reacted with 73% of mite-sensitive patients' IgE by the nitrocellulose dot blotting. One ng/ml of 4 fractions (HM1-2-0.1A, 0.3A, 0.3B and -1M) released histamine from mite allergic patient's blood cells. HM1-2-0.3A induced proliferation of T cell from immunized mouse by mite extract containing mite feces (Dff).

Fibre-optical sensor based on fluorescent indicator for monitoring physiological pH values

A fibre-optical sensor has been developed based on the fluorescent indicator 8-hydroxyl-1,3,6-pyrene trisulphonic acid trisodium salt (HOPSA) for monitoring physiological pH values. Dowex-1 strongly basic anion exchange resin is used as the medium to immobilise the indicator on the end of an optical fibre. Polyurethane is coated on the sensor as the permeable membrane for H+. The properties of HOPSA in solution, as well as when immobilised on the sensor, are studied and found to have the potential for monitoring physiological pH values.

[In situ quantitative analysis of Drosophila histone gene in S-phase]

We used a novel multiparametric microfluorometry analytic system to determine the replication timing of Drosophila histone gene DNA by in situ quantitative analysis of the gene in S-phase under a fluorescent microscope. There are 110 copies of histone genes per genome and each one of them is 5 kb in size. Primary cultured embryo cells were used to make preparations for microscopic analysis. Cells were first stained with DAPI and the total nuclear DNA contents in each nucleus reflected on the fluorescent intensity. We collected data of the fluorescent intensity from 400 of the cells in S-phase (Fig. 4). Then, the very same preparation was subjected to FISH (fluorescent in situ hybridization) using biotinylated DNA probes and FITC, and the fluorescent intensity of the hybridization signals were quantitatively detected from the same 400 cells and in the same order. This data showed the relative quantity of the signals representing the histone genes. From the correlation of fluorescent intensity of DAPI and that of FITC of the cells in S-phase, we found that the histone gene DNA completed its replication during early stage in S-phase (Fig. 5). The method we introduced here is considered to be able to use in many other cases of quantitative analysis directly in cells.