Rapid disease progression correlates with instability of mutant SOD1 in familial ALS

Studies on the clinical course of familial ALS suggest that the duration of illness is relatively consistent for each mutation but variable among the different mutations. The authors analyzed the relative amount of mutant compared with normal SOD1 protein in the erythrocytes from 29 patients with ALS with 22 different mutations. Turnover of mutant SOD1 correlated with a shorter disease survival time.

In situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry of versican, aggrecan and link protein, and histochemistry of hyaluronan in the developing mouse limb bud cartilage

We investigated the expression pattern of versican, aggrecan, link protein and hyaluronan in the developing limb bud cartilage of the fetal mouse using in situ hybridization and/or immunohistochemistry. Versican mRNA and immunostaining were detected in the mesenchymal cell condensation of the future digital bone at E13. Versican mRNA expression rapidly disappeared from the tibial cartilage, as cartilage formation progressed during E13-15, but the immunostaining was gradually replaced by aggrecan immunostaining from the diaphysis. Immunostaining for both molecules thus had a 'nega-posi' pattern and consequently versican immunostaining was still detected at the epiphyseal end at E15. This result indicated that versican functions as a temporary framework in newly formed cartilage matrix. An aggrecan-positive region within the cartilage invariably had intense hyaluronan staining, whereas a versican-positive region also had affinity for hyaluronan within the cartilage, but not in the mesenchymal cell condensation. Therefore, the presence of versican aggregates was not confirmed in the developing limb bud cartilage. Furthermore, although link protein was more closely related with aggrecan than versican during limb bud cartilage formation, there was a discrepancy between the expression of aggrecan and link protein in tibial cartilage at E15. In particular, only a link protein-positive region was present in the marginal area of the metaphysis and the epiphysis at this stage. This finding may indicate a novel role for link protein.

Stabilization of mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) protein by coexpressed wild SOD1 protein accelerates the disease progression in familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis mice

Transgenic mice carrying familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (FALS)-linked mutant Cu/Zn superoxide dismutase (SOD1) genes such as G93A (G93A-mice) and G85R (G85R-mice) genes develop limb paresis. Introduction of human wild type SOD1 (hWT-SOD1) gene, which does not cause motor impairment by itself, into different FALS mice resulted in different effects on their clinical courses, from no effect in G85R-mice to acceleration of disease progression in G93A-mice. However, the molecular mechanism which causes the observed difference, has not been clarified. We hypothesized that the difference might be caused by the stability of mutant SOD1 proteins. Using a combination of mass spectrometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, we found that the concentration of G93A-SOD1 protein was markedly elevated in tissues of transgenic mice carrying both G93A- and hWT-SOD1 genes (G93A/hWT-mice) compared to that in G93A-mice, and also found that the concentration of G93A-SOD1 protein had a close relation to the disease duration. The concentration of metallothionein-I/II in the spinal cord, reflecting the degree of copper-mediated oxidative stress, was highest in G93A/hWT-mice, second in G93A-mice, and normal in the mice carrying hWT-SOD1 gene. These results indicated that the increase of G93A-SOD1 protein was responsible for the increase of oxidative stress and disease acceleration in G93A/hWT-mice. We speculate that coexpression of hWT-SOD1 protein is deleterious to transgenic mice carrying a stable mutant such as G93A-SOD1, because this mutant protein is stabilized by hWT-SOD1 protein, but not to transgenic mice carrying an unstable mutant such as G85R-SOD1, because this mutant protein is not stabilized by hWT-SOD1.

Histochemical localisation of versican, aggrecan and hyaluronan in the developing condylar cartilage of the fetal rat mandible

We investigated the histochemical localisation of versican, aggrecan and hyaluronan in the developing condylar cartilage of the fetal rat mandible at d 15-17 of gestation. At d 15 of gestation, immunostaining for versican was detected in the anlage of the future condylar process (condylar anlage), although the staining intensity showed a considerable regional variation. At d 16 of gestation, a metachromatically stained matrix firstly appeared in the condylar anlage. Aggrecan, hyaluronan and versican were simultaneously detected in this newly formed condylar cartilage. At d 17 of gestation, immunostaining for versican became restricted to the perichondrium and was barely detected in the cartilage. Colocalisation of versican and aggrecan was also seen in the cranial base cartilage at d 14 of gestation. These results indicate that although versican is replaced by aggrecan during the transition from prechondrogenic tissue to cartilage, both molecules were temporally colocalised in the newly formed cartilage. A hyaluronan-rich, low-versican area was identified in the posterior end of the condylar anlage during d 15-17 of gestation. The existence of this area is a unique structural feature of the developing condylar cartilage.

Hydrophilicity of Polar and Apolar Domains of Amphiphiles

The hydrophilicity of polar and apolar domains of various amphiphiles was systematically estimated for their homologues and analogues by measuring the molar adiabatic compressibility of an aqueous solution at infinite dilution. The homologues of protic alkyl H(CH(2))(n)-, perfluoroalkyl F(CF(2))(n)-, and alkylphenyl H(CH(2))(n)(C(6)H(5))- groups (n=0-10) were chosen to represent apolar hydrophobic domains. The polar hydrophilic domains tested were -SO(4)Na, -SO(3)Na, -COONH(4), -N(CH(3))(3)Br, N(C(m)H(2m+1))(4)Br (m=1-5), and -NH(CH(2))(n)SO(3) (n=3, 4) groups. Also tested were the tetraphenyl ionic compounds (C(6)H(5))(4)MX (M=B/X=Na, M=P/X=Cl, M=As/X=Cl) to study the effect of the ionic sign of the core atom across the tetraphenyl apolar shell, the polyethylene glycols H(OCH(2)CH(2))(m)OH (m=1-4) to study the role of apolar -CH(2)- units in the hydrophilic oxyethylene group, and the zwitterionic dimethylaminoalkylsulfonate (CH(3))(2)NH(CH(2))(n)SO(3) homologues to study the effect of intramolecular salt formation on the hydrophilicity of the zwitterion. The adiabatic compressibility of the solution was calculated from measurement of the sound velocity and density of solutions. The introduction of laboratory automation and the numerical control of the system improved the accuracies and efficiencies of the measurements a great deal. The range of the temperature scan was 0-40 degrees C with an effective accuracy of +/-0.001 degrees C and the concentration was automatically scanned down to far below the cmc of the surfactant. The hydrophilicity of various polar and apolar substances was estimated as the decrease of molar adiabatic compressibility of the aqueous solution with increased concentration of their homologues and analogues. The hydrophobic hydration of nonpolar substances was found to be very small at room temperature and was barely detected above 40 degrees C; however, it became large as the temperature was lowered and attained a maximum at 0 degrees C. The cationic charge of quaternary ammonium N(+)(C(n)H(2n+1))(4) was found to enhance the hydrophobic hydration of methylene groups located at a distance of 4 to 6 Å from the core nitrogen atom, while the terminal negative charge of the anionic surfactant R-SO(4)(-), R-SO(3)(-), or R-COO(-) was found to decrease the hydrophobic hydration of -CH(2)- units within the same range. The hydrophilicity of quaternary ammonium and the tetraphenyl ions should be synergistically given by both hydrophobic and ionic hydrations. The hydrophilicity of the perfluoromethylene unit -CF(2)- was found to have a value comparable to that of the protic methylene unit -CH(2)-. The hydrophobic hydration seems to offer a good measure of the hydrophilicity of apolar substances; however, it does not necessarily represent the "hydrophobicity" of the apolar segment when the "surface activity" of the amphiphile is concerned. Copyright 2000 Academic Press.

Four putative subtypes of human parvovirus B19 based on amino acid polymorphism in the C-terminal region of non-structural protein

The nucleotide sequence of 10 isolates of human parvovirus B19 (B19) were determined and compared throughout 96.3% of the open reading frames (4145 nucleotides from nt. 509-4653). In the 4145 nucleotides, 122 mutation sites were found, of which 24 were accompanied by amino acid displacement. Furthermore, the polymorphism of the amino acids was seen in about 110 bases near the carboxy terminal of the non-structural protein, ranging from nt. 2011 to 2123, where four amino acid mutation points were found to exist. Based on the amino acid polymorphism of these four mutation sites in this area, 10 isolates of the B19 parvovirus could be divided into 4 subtypes (subtypes A, B, C, and D). The frequency of isolation of the subtypes depended on the time and location of collection of the B19 viremic blood specimens.

Neurophysiological and behavioral indices of time pressure effects on visuomotor task performance

Using a video game format, this study examined the effects of time pressure (TP) on behavioral and electrocortical indices. The behavioral results were consistent with previous time pressure research in that TP reduced time to perform a task and increases behavioral errors. In addition, electroencephalogram (EEG) measures showed distinctive patterns associated with TP in the theta, mu, and gamma bands along the midline. Site specific changes in the success vs. failure trials were also seen in midline theta at Fz, gamma at Fz, and mu at Cz. Right parietal alpha also differentiated TP and success vs. failure trials. In specific TP (1) increased frontal midline theta activity and (2) increased gamma at midline (frontal, central, and partietal) and in right frontal areas. The results of these findings are discussed in terms of the formation of specific neurocognitive strategies as evidenced by the topographic distribution of task-related modulation of the EEG within certain frequency bands. It is suggested that the effect of TP on visuomotor performance is mediated by adopting either task-relevant or task-irrelevant neurocognitive strategies as evidenced by successful or failed trials, respectively. Whether these strategies are formulated prior to performance or appear spontaneously during task performance remains unclear and is awaiting further experimentation.

[A patient presented with atypical paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis and Becker muscular dystrophy]

A 22-year-old man had choreatic movements in upper limbs, neck and trunk for over twelve years which were associated with dystonia in lower limbs upon initiating voluntary movements. The choreatic movement lasted for a few seconds and the dystonia lasted for a few minutes. He also had high serum CK levels and hypertrophic calf muscles. His muscle strength and deep tendon reflexes were normal. His choreatic movements fulfill the criteria for paroxysmal kinesigenic choreoathetosis (PKC). However, it was unclear what the symptom of dystonia was due to. From a muscle biopsy and DNA analysis, he was diagnosed as having Becker muscular dystrophy. Administration of anticonvulsant improved the dystonia as well as the choreatic movement, which showed that the dystonia was a symptom of PKC. Coincidence of choreatic movements and dystonias which had different lasting time in a patient of PKC was atypical and had not previously reported.

In situ hybridisation study of type I, II, X collagens and aggrecan mRNas in the developing condylar cartilage of fetal mouse mandible

The aim of this study was to investigate the developmental characteristics of the mandibular condyle in sequential phases at the gene level using in situ hybridisation. At d 14.5 of gestation, although no expression of type II collagen mRNA was observed, aggrecan mRNA was detected with type I collagen mRNA in the posterior region of the mesenchymal cell aggregation continuous with the ossifying mandibular bone anlage prior to chondrogenesis. At d 15.0 of gestation, the first cartilaginous tissue appeared at the posterior edge of the ossifying mandibular bone anlage. The primarily formed chondrocytes in the cartilage matrix had already shown the appearance of hypertrophy and expressed types I, II and X collagens and aggrecan mRNAs simultaneously. At d 16.0 of gestation, the condylar cartilage increased in size due to accumulation of hypertrophic chondrocytes characterised by the expression of type X collagen mRNA, whereas the expression of type I collagen mRNA had been reduced in the hypertrophic chondrocytes and was confined to the periosteal osteogenic cells surrounding the cartilaginous tissue. At d 18.0 of gestation before birth, cartilage-characteristic gene expression had been reduced in the chondrocytes of the lower half of the hypertrophic cell layer. The present findings demonstrate that the initial chondrogenesis for the mandibular condyle starts continuous with the posterior edge of the mandibular periosteum and that chondroprogenitor cells for the condylar cartilage rapidly differentiate into hypertrophic chondrocytes. Further, it is indicated that sequential rapid changes and reductions of each mRNA might be closely related to the construction of the temporal mandibular ramus in the fetal stage.

Efficacy of donor screening for HTLV-I and the natural history of transfusion-transmitted infection

BACKGROUND

It has been 10 years since the implementation in Japan of donor blood screening for human T-cell lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I). This report reviews the effectiveness of screening in preventing transmission of HTLV-I through blood transfusion and the current status of patients with confirmed seroconversion due to transfusions given before the implementation of screening.

STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS

Patients who received blood at Kyushu University Hospital from 1990 to 1997 were followed. Serum samples were collected before transfusion and 60 days or more after transfusion. Seroconversion was determined by a second-generation particle agglutination test. Confirmation tests were an immunofluorescence assay, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and immunoblotting. Confirmed seroconverted patients were followed by a search of hospital records.

RESULTS

Seroconversion was found in one of 4672 transfused patients, but the donor was identified and confirmed to be negative for anti-HTLV-I and virus genome by nested polymerase chain reaction. A total of 23,323 red cell concentrates and 17,237 platelet concentrates were transfused to these 4672 patients. Therefore, the anti-HTLV-I prevalence in blood for transfusion after screening was estimated at 1 in 45,560 (0.0022%; the upper 95% CI was 0.0080%). One hundred two seroconverted patients who were transfused before donor screening for HTLV-I were followed. One patient developed HTLV-I-associated myelopathy, diagnosed 18 weeks after seroconversion, and another patient developed uveitis 1 month after seroconversion. No patients developed adult T-cell lymphoma, and the survival rate of seroconverted patients was 92.5 percent 15 years after transfusion.

CONCLUSION

This study confirmed that the present donor screening program for HTLV-I by the new particle agglutination test can almost completely prevent virus transmission by transfusion. Complications of HTLV-I transmission were at lower rates than expected.

Time Dependent Anchoring of Adsorbed Cationic Surfactant Molecules at Mica/Solution Interface

The nature of adsorbed cationic amphiphiles at the mica/solution interface was studied by XPS and contact angle measurements. The elemental analyses of freshly cleaved mica surfaces by XPS showed that the potassium atoms on the surface lattice of mica are not necessarily distributed equally to each surface on cleavage. The adsorbed cationic amphiphile molecules remaining on mica surfaces after rinsing with distilled water were found to be anchored to the surface by ion-exchange, replacing surface potassium and/or other cations. The ratio of adsorbed cationic amphiphile molecules with single alkyl chains to the maximum potassium ions on mica surface was estimated to be twice as large as that of amphiphiles having two alkyl chains. The contact angle of water drops placed on the adsorbed surface showed a gradual decrease with the elapse of time due to the dissolution of adsorbed surfactant into the water drop; however, the decrease was not observed for those mica surfaces when aged for more than 3 days in the adsorption bath. The anchoring of adsorbed molecules by ion-exchange was found to occur extremely slowly, however; the anchored molecules may not easily be desorbed when rinsed with deionized water. The time dependent anchoring of adsorbed molecules was studied in terms of adsorption time, alkyl chain length, and concentration of cationic surfactant. Copyright 1999 Academic Press.

Microencapsulation of hepatitis B core antigen for vaccine preparation

PURPOSE

To prepare poly(lactide-co-glycolide)(PLGA) microspheres containing recombinant hepatitis B core antigen (HBcAg; Mw = 3,600,000) by a w/o/w emulsion/solvent evaporation method and evaluate the possibility of this system as a potent long-acting carrier for hepatitis B core antigen in mice.

METHODS

Various additives had been incorporated in the internal aqueous phase during the process of microencapsulating HBcAg, HBcAg antigenicity in the medium extracted from the prepared microspheres were measured by ELISA. Shape confirmation of the HBcAg antigen was performed by a sucrose gradient velocity centrifugal technique. For in vivo study, prepared microspheres were administered subcutaneously to Balb/C mice, and the serum IgG level was determined by ELISA.

RESULTS

The inactivation of HBcAg by methylene chloride was dramatically reduced by the addition of gelatin (4-8% (w/v)) to the internal aqueous phase during the preparation. Further improvement of the loading efficiency to almost 61% resulted with cooling (4 degrees C). The prepared microspheres (4.27 microm+/-1.23 microm) containing 0.15% HBcAg displayed burst release (50-60% within 2 days). In subcutaneous inoculation, the adjuvant effect of PLGA microspheres was almost the same as that of the complete Freund's adjuvant. Whereas oral inoculation using the microspheres was not effective.

CONCLUSIONS

The pH of the added gelatin seemed to be the key to the stabilization of HBcAg from various stability tests and CD spectrum study. Finally, the possibility of using this system as a potent long-acting hepatitis B vaccine was demonstrated.

Deprivation of leukemia inhibitory factor by its function-blocking antibodies augments T cell activation

Leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) is a cytokine that acts on a wide range of cell types in vitro, but knowledge of its physiological role is limited. High levels of LIF protein have been selectively detected in the thymus throughout postnatal development. LIF-deficient mice have shown impaired thymic T cell maturation, suggesting the possibility that T cells require LIF for maturation. We have used highly specific antibodies raised against native rat LIF to inhibit LIF function during a defined and restricted period of thymic T cell maturation (first postnatal week). Surprisingly, we observed increased T cell activation in the LIF-deprived wild-type rat. The increased T cell response is retained even 4 weeks after anti-LIF treatment when the level of LIF in the thymic microenvironment has returned to normal. Our results are in contrast to findings with LIF knockout mice, where decreased T cell activation was observed. These observations suggest that LIF may have alternative effects on various phases of T cell development and that LIF may be involved in the restriction of the T cell repertoire during maturation occurring in the first postnatal week.

Characterization of swollen lamellar phase of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine-gramicidin A mixed membranes by DSC, SAXS, and densimetry

For the fully hydrated multilamellar stack of dimyristoylphosphatidylcholine (DMPC) fluid membranes containing hydrophobic peptide gramicidin A (GrA), the membrane thickness and the bilayer-bilayer separation (i.e., water layer thickness) were determined by measuring small-angle X-ray scattering and the density of aqueous suspensions of DMPC-GrA mixtures. When the molar ratio of GrA to DMPC was 0.04, the membrane thickness decreased by 2-3 A by the incorporation of GrA molecules into DMPC bilayers, whereas the water layer thickness increased by 3-4 A. As the cause of the increment of water layer thickness, two possibilities were considered; (1) attractive van der Waals force acting between the bilayer membranes weakened by the decrease of membrane thickness, and (2) repulsive undulation force enhanced by the incorporation of GrA which may stabilize the gauche conformers of the lipid acyl chains.

Immunohistochemistry of collagen types II and X, and enzyme-histochemistry of alkaline phosphatase in the developing condylar cartilage of the fetal mouse mandible

We investigated the immunohistochemical localisation of types II and X collagen as well as the cytochemical localisation of alkaline phosphatase in the developing condylar cartilage of the fetal mouse mandible on d 14-16 of pregnancy. On d 14 of pregnancy, although no immunostaining for types II and X collagen was observed, alkaline phosphatase activity was detected in all cells in the anlage of the future condylar process. On d 15 of pregnancy, immunostaining for both collagen types was simultaneously detected in the primarily formed condylar cartilage. Alkaline phosphatase activity was also detected in chondrocytes at this stage. By d 16 of pregnancy, the hypertrophic cell zone rapidly increased in size. These findings strongly support a periosteal origin for the condylar cartilage of the fetal mouse mandible, and show that progenitor cells for condylar cartilage rapidly or directly differentiate into hypertrophic chondrocytes.

Distribution of cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor/leukemia inhibitory factor binding sites in the developing and adult rat nervous system in vivo

Cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor/leukemia inhibitory factor (CDF/LIF) is a multifunctional cytokine that affects neurons as well as many other cell types. Toward elucidating its neural functions in vivo, we previously investigated the distribution of CDF/LIF binding sites with iodinated native CDF/LIF in embryonic to postnatal day 0 (P0) rats. In the present study, we have extended our examination to postnatal ages and find that specific CDF/LIF binding sites are present at defined developmental stages in additional brain regions not previously exhibiting binding by P0. High levels of binding are detected in all P7 sensory and autonomic ganglia examined, but only in restricted postnatal central nervous system structures. Cranial motor and mesencephalic trigeminal neurons maintain high levels throughout, while binding to spinal motor neurons, which decreases to low levels at P0, reappears by P14 and increases with age. Most other structures, which show detectable binding by P0, exhibit higher levels at postnatal ages, including the red, deep, ventral cochlear, trapezoid, superior olivary, vestibular, ventral tegmental, and ventral posterior thalamic nuclei as well as the glomerular layer of the olfactory bulb. High levels are also detected in several structures for the first time after P0, including the cerebellar cortex (molecular and Purkinje cell layers), lateral reticular nucleus of the medulla and reticular formation, as well as the reticulotegmental, medial geniculate, solitary (rostral, dorsomedial, and commissural regions), medial septal, lateral mammillary, and lateral habenular nuclei. These results not only identify regions of potential CDF/LIF-responsive neurons and glia throughout development but suggest new CDF/LIF roles in the nervous system.

Tissue-specific and ontogenetic regulation of LIF protein levels determined by quantitative enzyme immunoassay

To define the physiological role of leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF), it is essential to localize sites of LIF synthesis in vivo. We generated polyclonal antibodies specific for native rat LIF, and developed a two-site immunoassay to detect 10 pg LIF/ml. Using this immunoassay, we determined LIF content of 18 organs, CNS regions, and ganglia throughout postnatal development of rats. High levels of LIF protein (1.0-11.0 ng/g tissue) are present in relatively few tissues: the uterus at late proestrus to estrus and on day 5 of pregnancy, ovary at estrus to early metestrus-1, footpads during early postnatal development and thymus throughout. Intermediate levels (0.5-1.0 ng) are detected in the gut, skin, skeletal muscle, pancreas and lung at one or more postnatal ages. Low levels (0.1-0.5 ng) are observed in most other non-nervous and nervous tissues. LIF protein levels do not completely correspond to reported LIF mRNA levels.

Mutations in the transcriptional regulatory region of the precore and core/pregenome of a hepatitis B virus with defective HBeAg production

Termination mutations in the precore open reading frame of hepatitis B virus (HBV) variants with defective hepatitis B e antigen (HBeAg) production have been demonstrated in both infected patients who have seroconverted to anti-HBe and those with fulminant hepatitis B. A donated plasma sample was found to be positive for the hepatitis B surface antigen, but negative for both HBeAg and anti-HBe. The HBV DNA titer in the plasma was estimated to be 32 pg/ml, and circulating virus-like particles were observed by electron microscopy. The entire nucleotide sequence of the virus was determined and at least 7 nucleotides were found to be unique when compared with previously reported sequences. These nucleotides created no termination codon in the precore/core, pol, preS/S and HBx open reading frames. The deduced amino acid substitutions were 28 Arg--Gln, 94 His--Tyr, 131 Val--Ile and 132 Phe--Tyr of HBx and 715 Met--Val and 789 Asp--Asn of pol. Furthermore, the precore and core/pregenome promoter contained altered 1764 A, 1766 T and 1768 A. Therefore, mutations in regions other than the precore open reading frame can cause defective HBeAg production.

Cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor (CDF)/leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) binds to specific regions of the developing nervous system in vivo

The cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor (CDF)/leukemia inhibitory factor (LIF) promotes survival and/or differentiation of specific neuronal populations in vitro. To investigate the spatial and temporal distribution of CDF/LIF binding sites in the developing rat nervous system, we localized binding of iodinated native rat CDF/LIF by radioautography. We find that specific CDF/LIF binding sites are present in distinct regions of the nervous system at defined developmental stages. CDF/LIF binding is detectable in all sensory ganglia examined, both neural crest- and placode-derived, and in all sympathetic and parasympathetic ganglia examined. In the central nervous system, in contrast, binding is restricted to specific regions in the motor, sensory, and limbic systems. These in vivo results not only support culture studies which suggest CDF/LIF involvement in development of specific populations of neurons, but also suggest new roles played by CDF/LIF.

Detection of antibodies to hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural proteins in anti-HCV-positive sera by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay using synthetic peptides as antigens

We have defined 10 linear immunogenic regions encoded by the putative hepatitis C virus (HCV) structural proteins (core and envelope) by employing an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and by using 17 sequential synthetic peptides covering the N-terminal 330 amino acids of the structural polyproteins as antigens. These peptides correspond to amino acids 1 to 24, 21 to 44, 42 to 68, 64 to 91, and 100 to 120 of the putative core protein and amino acids 192 to 212, 223 to 238, 236 to 258, 250 to 266, and 307 to 330 of the putative envelope protein. In particular, the peptide covering amino acids 21 to 44 of the core protein was reactive with all but one (40 of 41) of the serum samples giving a positive signal in the passive hemagglutination assay (PHA) using the core and nonstructural proteins (NS 3/4) of the virus as antigens. We detected the HCV genome in 25 (61%) of 41 PHA-positive serum samples by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test. Of 25 PCR-positive serum samples, 17 serum samples had reactivity to the peptides derived from the envelope protein. On the other hand, only 1 of the 16 PCR-negative serum samples had reactivity to the peptides derived from the envelope protein. Interestingly, we often observed high serum alanine aminotransferase levels in PCR-positive individuals bearing antibodies to the envelope protein.

Mother-to-child transmission of human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I): an extended follow-up study on children between 18 and 22-24 years old in Okinawa, Japan

The significant difference observed between the seroprevalence of HTLV-I in adults and in children is as yet unexplained. To evaluate a hypothetical explanation of the existence of seroconversion cases of "seronegative carriers" for this phenomenon, 21 of 55 children who had been born to seropositive mothers and who remained seronegative until the age of 18 years were further followed up at the ages of 22 and/or 24 years. None of the 21 seronegative children born to seropositive mothers seroconverted, either at 22 years or at 24 years. In addition, the polymerase-chain-reaction (PCR) technique could not prove the existence of the HTLV-I provirus genome in peripheral mononuclear cells (PBMC) of 10 of these children. Our results fail to prove the possibility of viral latency of HTLV-I in mother-to-child transmission. Therefore, the hypothetical seroconversion of "seronegative carriers" after adulthood cannot be an explanation.

Development of a supersensitive polymerase chain reaction method for human T lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) and detection of HTLV-II proviral DNA from blood donors in Japan

A supersensitive polymerase chain reaction procedure was developed to detect human T-lymphotropic virus type II (HTLV-II) proviral genome. Six primer pairs covering the various regions of HTLV-II were compared and selected on the basis of specificity and sensitivity. Among them, one primer pair of the pol region of HTLV-II (II pol) was able to amplify and detect even 0.1 fg of the cloned plasmid HTLV-II DNA (seven copies) by regular ethidium bromide staining on polyacrylamide gel. By using this procedure, we screened 189 HTLV-I seropositive blood donors from Yamaguchi and Fukuoka Red Cross Blood Centers, Japan. There were four positive samples detectable with the HTLV-II-specific pol primer pair, as well as with the HTLV-I tax primer pair. The amplified DNAs of two specimens were cloned and sequenced. The sequences of the HTLV-I tax region from both specimens were identical to that of HTLV-I. On the other hand, those of the HTLV-II pol region were identical to that of HTLV-II, except for one base substitution in a clone from one subject. These results indicate that dual infection of HTLV-I and HTLV-II in the same persons occurs among Japanese blood donors.

Some chemical properties of the HCl-methanol extract from the puparial cuticle of Drosophila melanogaster

1. The HCl-methanol (HCl-MeOH) soluble fraction from the puparial cuticle of yellow, black and ebony of D. melanogaster was hydrolyzed in hydrochloric acid and examined for beta-alanine, ketocatechol, and acetic acid. 2. Between beta-alanine and ketocatechol and between beta-alanine and acetic acid, a quantitatively inverse relationship was found, respectively. The former relationship was further confirmed by the feeding experiment of beta-alanine to black. 3. Of total beta-alanine in the HCl-MeOH extract, the proportion of those having free amino group was 74.8 per cent. 4. All these results indicate that the HCl-MeOH soluble fraction of the puparial cuticle may be useful for investigating the cross-link structure of the cuticle.

Function-blocking antibodies against cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor

Cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor, CDF, causes a transition from noradrenergic to cholinergic phenotype in cultured sympathetic neurons. Moreover, its identification with leukemia inhibitory factor has shown that CDF is a multifunctional cytokine. To examine the physiological role of CDF and to further elucidate the as yet unknown effects of CDF on the nervous system, two kinds of function-blocking antibodies were generated. One type, raised against whole native CDF, completely blocks CDF activity, whereas the other type, raised against a synthetic peptide corresponding to the N-terminal amino acid region of CDF, blocks activity partially. All three anti-CDF and two antipeptide polyclonal antibodies tested in this study significantly inhibit CDF function.

Immunoaffinity purification and dose-response of cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor

A glycoprotein from heart cell-conditioned medium, cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor (CDF), causes a transition from noradrenergic to cholinergic phenotype in cultured rat sympathetic neurons. Although the transition has been known to occur in a dose-dependent manner and CDF has been purified, the examination of a complete dose-response of neurons to CDF has not been possible because sufficient quantities of pure CDF have not been available. A complete dose-response curve is essential for evaluating the biological response of the neurons, for assessing the physiological role of CDF and for understanding the mechanism of action of CDF. We report here an immunoaffinity-purification procedure for CDF with a 73.1% recovery using antibodies raised against a synthetic peptide homologous with the N-terminal region of CDF. This method produced pure CDF in quantities sufficient for examination of the full dose-response range of the neurons. Our main findings are the following. The dose-responses of acetylcholine and catecholamine metabolisms to CDF are different, although the same molecule affects both transmitters. While the half-maximal concentrations for acetylcholine induction (0.20 nM) and for catecholamine suppression (0.28 nM) are similar, the response of catecholamine metabolism begins slowly and saturates at a CDF concentration (5-20 nM) considerably higher than that of acetylcholine (0.6 nM). This may indicate that CDF affects multiple processes in catecholamine metabolism.

Follow-up of asymptomatic HTLV-I carriers among blood donors in Kyushu, Japan

We examined mortality from adult T-cell leukemia/lymphoma (ATL/ATLL) and other diseases alleged to be associated with human T-lymphotropic virus type I (HTLV-I) among anti-HTLV-I antibody-positive blood donors in Kyushu, Japan. During 1984-87, a total of 3,991 blood donors aged 40 years or over were followed from the date of donation to the date of death or the end of the study. Crude mortality rates from ATL (with 95 percent confidence intervals) were 68 per 100,000 (13-202) for males and 36 per 100,000 (3-132) for females. The rates were underestimated by approximately 50 percent because of self-selection and short observation periods. Neither death rates from other cancers nor death rates from all cancers were elevated.

The cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor from heart cells is identical to leukemia inhibitory factor

A protein secreted by cultured rat heart cells can direct the choice of neurotransmitter phenotype made by cultured rat sympathetic neurons. Structural analysis and biological assays demonstrated that this protein is identical to a protein that regulates the growth and differentiation of embryonic stem cells and myeloid cells, and that stimulates bone remodeling and acute-phase protein synthesis in hepatocytes. This protein has been termed D factor, DIA, DIF, DRF, HSFIII, and LIF. Thus, this cytokine, like IL-6 and TGF beta, regulates growth and differentiation in the embryo and in the adult in many tissues, now including the nervous system.

The detection of an antibody against IgA allotype A2M 2 and a study of the Am genetic marker among the Han Chinese population

The serum of a woman was found by the Ouchterlony double-diffusion and the hemagglutination inhibition (HAI) methods to have immunoglobulin A (IgA) deficiency. Further investigation using the hemagglutination (HA) test with red cells coated with IgA myeloma proteins of different specificities showed that the serum agglutinated only IgA2-, A2M-1, and A2M 2-coated cells. The patterns of the HAI test with a reference panel confirmed the presence of two specificities. One was anti-IgA2 and the other was a rare antibody against the allotype A2M 2. The anti-A2M 2 was used for population studies. Testing of the Han Chinese population, including family studies, confirms that A2M.1 and A2M.2 have an autosomal dominant mode of inheritance and are controlled by a codominant allele. The distribution of the two Am genetic markers among the Han Chinese population demonstrated A2M.1 with a gene frequency of 0.553 and A2M.2 with a gene frequency of 0.447 (chi 2 = 0.145, 0.80 greater than p greater than 0.70).

Prevention of transmission of human T-lymphotropic virus type 1 (HTLV-1) through transfusion, by donor screening with antibody to the virus. One-year experience

To prevent the transmission of human T-lymphotropic virus, type 1 (HTLV-1) during blood transfusion, a program was implemented to screen donors for antibodies to the virus, using a newly developed, passive agglutination (PA) method. During the period April 1986 to March 1987, 675 recipients of donor blood in whom the antibody to HTLV-1 was not present before transfusion were followed for at least 50 days after transfusion. One of these 675 seroconverted despite the transfusion of screened blood, but this seroconversion rate (0.15%) represents a marked decrease from the rate of 8.3 percent prevalent before donor screening began. The rate in the Fukuoka area of donors seropositive for anti-HTLV-1 is 5.34 percent, as detected by the PA method and 1.80 percent, as assessed by the indirect immunofluorescence (IF) technique, with PA-positive but IF-negative blood units thus accounting for 3.5 percent (5.34-1.80) of the total blood donated. The seroconversion rate among recipients transfused with blood screened by IF (at Kyushu University Hospital only) from 1981 to 1985 was 0.41 percent, which was not significantly different from the rate of 0.15 percent observed after PA screening. The discrepancy between PA and IF in the rate of seropositivity was due, in part, to the higher sensitivity of PA in detecting anti-HTLV-1. It is proposed that all donor blood in areas where HTLV-1 is endemic be screened by PA before transfusion.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

The dorsal occult ganglion of the wrist and ultrasonography

In five cases of suspected occult ganglion on the back of the wrist, an ultrasonographic examination was performed. This revealed a small hypoechogenic area on the dorsal aspect between the scaphoid and the lunate or just dorsal to the lunate. Exploration of this area in three cases confirmed the presence of an occult ganglion. In the other two cases, further aspiration revealed traces of mucinous jelly at the tip of the needle.

The dorsal occult ganglion of the wrist and ultrasonography

In five cases of suspected occult ganglion on the back of the wrist, an ultrasonographic examination was performed. This revealed a small hypoechogenic area on the dorsal aspect between the scaphoid and the lunate or just dorsal to the lunate. Exploration of this area in three cases confirmed the presence of an occult ganglion. In the other two cases, further aspiration revealed traces of mucinous jelly at the tip of the needle.

The occurrence of precipitating antibodies in transfused Japanese patients with hereditary ninth component of complement deficiency and frequency of C9 deficiency

Antibodies to the ninth component of complement (C9) were found in a patient with hereditary C9 deficiency (C9D) who had received multiple transfusions. The incidence of anti-C9 precipitating antibodies following transfusion was investigated in 63,625 patients treated at Kyushu University Hospital, and 475,886 blood donors at the Fukuoka Red Cross Blood Center were studied to determine the frequency of C9D in Japan. Transfusion reactions in recipients having anti-C9 were also monitored. One hundred and eighty-six subjects (15 patients and 171 donors) with C9D were identified (a prevalence of 0.036%). Four of 15 C9-deficient patients had received transfusions. One of the patients who had received several units of blood within 1 week developed low-titer C9-precipitating antibody. This patient was transfused in the presence of the antibody without evidence of adverse reactions. No precipitating antibody was detected in the remaining three patients who had received several units of blood on a single day. These observations suggest that multiple transfusions may contribute to the development of anti-C9.

Purification and partial characterization of a cholinergic neuronal differentiation factor

The choice of transmitter made by postmitotic rat sympathetic neurons in cell culture can be controlled by the environment in which they develop. One of the differentiation signals is a protein secreted by heart cells that can induce previously noradrenergic neurons to synthesize acetylcholine and form cholinergic synapses. This change in phenotype occurs without alteration in neuronal survival or growth. The differentiation factor has now been purified at least 100,000-fold, and it is homogeneous by several criteria. (i) The cholinergic activity comigrates with a single 125I-labeled protein band of 45 kDa in one-dimensional NaDodSO4/PAGE. (ii) The biological activity comigrates precisely with a series of five 125I-labeled protein spots of 45 kDa in two-dimensional gel electrophoresis. (iii) Treatment of the 45-kDa band with endo-beta-N-acetylglucosaminidase F reduces the apparent molecular size of both the labeled protein and the biological activity to a band of 22 kDa. The data suggest that the differentiation factor is a slightly basic glycoprotein with at least six glycosylation sites.

Selective IgA deficiency: analysis of Ig production in vitro

The cellular basis of the pathogenesis of selective IgA deficiency (SIgAD) was investigated by examining surface immunoglobulin (SmIg) and in vitro pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-stimulated immunoglobulin (Ig) synthesis and by assaying in combination the counterpart lymphocytes from individuals with SIgAD and healthy donors. Peripheral blood lymphocytes (PBL) from 14 individuals with SIgAD synthesized normal amounts of IgG and IgM but did not synthesize normal amounts of IgA. Functional defects of lymphocytes for IgA synthesis were classified into four types: (i) B-lymphocyte dysfunction, (ii) increased function of suppressor T lymphocytes (Ts), (iii) decreased function of helper T lymphocytes (Th), and (iv) B-lymphocyte dysfunction and increased Ts function. The cells bearing SmIgG, SmIgM, and SmIgD were demonstrated at normal percentage ratios in all cases by immunofluorescent staining. The cells bearing SmIgA were at normal percentage ratios in the cases of T-lymphocyte dysfunction, while in the cases of B-lymphocyte defect SmIgA-bearing cells were reduced.

Hormonal control of neurotransmitter choice in sympathetic neurone cultures

Manipulation of the cellular and hormonal environment of cultures of dissociated primary neurones can be used to explore a neurone's developmental potential and to investigate the factors required for normal development. For example, developing adrenergic sympathetic neurones can be influenced to become cholinergic by both diffusible and membrane-bound factors from certain types of non-neuronal cells; when medium conditioned by incubation on heart cell cultures (CM) is placed on the neurones, they develop the ability to produce acetylcholine (ACh) and they form functional cholinergic synapses with each other. Hormones could also contribute to the control of this transmitter choice, and McLennan et al. recently reported that corticosterone treatment of whole superior cervical ganglia (SCG) greatly inhibited the cholinergic development of these ganglia in culture. It was not clear, however, whether the hormone acted directly on the neurones or indirectly via the non-neuronal cells. To study the role of hormones on this transmitter choice, I have now developed a serum-free medium (based on that of Sato and co-workers) for the preparation of conditioned medium. The results obtained with this system show that glucocorticoids and epidermal growth factor (EGF) exert dramatic and antagonistic effects on the adrenergic-cholinergic transmitter choice and do so indirectly, by controlling the ability of heart cells to produce cholinergic CM.

Cleavage of T4 species I ribonucleic acid by Escherichia coli ribonuclease III

T4 Species I RNA, a molecule 140 nucleotides in length with some structural features very much like a tRNA, is specifically cleaved by an enzymatic activity in Escherichia coli extracts to give three segments with 19, 48 and 73 nucleotides. We report the purification and characterization of the E. coli RNase which cleaves two 3' phosphodiester bonds of T4 Species I RNA. This reaction has many properties in common with those catalyzed by E. coli RNase III, although the optimal salt conditions for T4 Species I RNA cleavage differ significantly from those for other RNase III-catalyzed reactions. The reaction is not catalyzed by extracts from an E. coli strain lacking RNase III activity. Furthermore, T4 Species I RNA is cleaved by highly purified E. coli RNase III to yield the same three specific fragments. We conclude that this specific cleavage is due to the action of RNase III, and that the requirement for lower ionic strength may reveal further important properties about this RNA processing enzyme.

In vitro construction of bacteriophage lambda and plasmid DNA molecules containing DNA fragments from bacteriophage T4

Restriction endonucleases EcoRI and HindIII generated fragments of T4 cytosine-containing DNA were inserted into bacteriophage vector lambdagtSuIII and plasmid vectors pMB9 and pBR313. Resulting clones were screened for hybridization with 32P labeled T4 tRNA. Recombinant bacteriophages and plasmids were isolated which contained a T4 fragment coding for T4 RNA species 1 and 2 and T4 tRNA Arg. Selected lambda-T4 hybrid bacteriophages were grown to high titer and their DNA analyzed by gel electrophoresis.