Long-term evaluation of E6011, an anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inadequately responding to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

OBJECTIVES

The objective of the study is to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of E6011, a humanized anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis with an inadequate response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs.

METHODS

In the double-blind treatment phase (24 weeks), placebo or E6011 400 mg was administered until Week 10. Thereafter, E6011 200 mg or 400 mg was administered to Week 22. Subjects who completed the evaluation at Week 24 of the treatment phase were rolled over into the extension phase. The extension phase lasted until Week 104, and all subjects received E6011 400 mg or 200 mg every 2 weeks in an open-label manner until Week 102.

RESULTS

A total of 47 subjects completed the double-blind treatment phase and were rolled over into the extension phase. In total, 46 (97.9%) subjects experienced any adverse events, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 57.4%. No clear efficacy trend in the American College of Rheumatology 20% response rates was observed.

CONCLUSIONS

E6011 was well tolerated in active rheumatoid arthritis patients who had shown an inadequate response to biologic disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs, but no clear benefit in the American College of Rheumatology 20% response rates was observed. Further studies are needed to clarify the clinical benefit of E6011.

Long-term safety and efficacy of E6011, an anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inadequately responding to methotrexate

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of E6011, a humanized anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to methotrexate (MTX).

METHODS

Active RA patients with an inadequate response to MTX were randomly assigned to the E6011 or placebo group and received the study drug subcutaneously every 2 weeks during a 24-week double-blind study period. Subjects who completed evaluations at Week 24 were rolled over into the extension phase and received open-label E6011 (200 or 400 mg) every 2 weeks until Week 102. The safety analysis was conducted up to Week 104, and the efficacy analysis was conducted up to Week 84.

RESULTS

A total of 169 subjects completed the double-blind treatment phase and were rolled over into the extension phase. In total, 167 (98.8%) subjects experienced any adverse events, and the incidence of treatment-related adverse events was 56.2%. The American College of Rheumatology 20 response rates were observed between 40 and 70% during the extension phase.

CONCLUSIONS

E6011 was safe and well tolerated with no notable safety concerns up to 102 weeks in RA patients with an inadequate response to MTX.

Effective method of monitoring cerebral tissue oxygen saturation in cardiac surgery patients by combined use of tNIRS-1 and bispectral index

To continuously and noninvasively monitor the cerebral tissue oxygen saturation (StO₂) and hemoglobin concentration (gasHb) in cardiac surgery patients, a method combining the use of a cerebral tissue oximeter using near infrared time-resolved spectroscopy (tNIRS-1) and the bispectral index (BIS) was developed in this study. Moreover, the correlation between the estimated hemoglobin concentration (estHb), measured via tNIRS-1, and the hemoglobin concentration (gasHb), analyzed using a blood gas analyzer, were compared. The relationship between the BIS and gasHb was also examined. Through the comparison of BIS and StO₂ (r1), and estHb and gasHb (r2), the correlation between the two was clarified with maximum r1 and r2 values of 0.617 and 0.946, respectively. The relationship between BIS and gasHb (r3), showed that there was a favorable correlation with a maximum r3 value of 0.969. There was also a continuous correlation between BIS and StO₂ in patients undergoing cardiac surgery. In addition, a strong correlation was found between estHb and gasHb, and between BIS and gasHb. It was therefore concluded that the combined use of BIS and tNIRS-1 is useful to evaluate cerebral hypoxia, allowing for quick response to cerebral hypoxia and reduction of hemoglobin concentration during the operation.

Efficacy and Safety of E6011, an Anti-Fractalkine Monoclonal Antibody, in Patients With Active Rheumatoid Arthritis With Inadequate Response to Methotrexate: Results of a Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Phase II Study

Objective

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of E6011, a humanized IgG2 monoclonal antibody against human fractalkine (FKN), in a phase II, double‐blind, placebo‐controlled study in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients.

Methods

Patients with moderate‐to‐severe RA who had an inadequate response to methotrexate were randomly assigned to a placebo group or to E6011 100‐mg, 200‐mg, or 400/200‐mg groups at a 2:1:2:2 ratio. During the 24‐week period, patients received the study drug subcutaneously at weeks 0, 1, and 2 and then once every 2 weeks. The primary end point was the American College of Rheumatology 20% improvement criteria (ACR20) response rate at week 12.

Results

Study drugs were administered to 190 patients (placebo, n = 54; E6011 100 mg, n = 28; E6011 200 mg, n = 54; E6011 400/200 mg, n = 54), and 169 patients completed treatment. A significant difference from placebo was not found in ACR20 response rates at week 12 (37.0% [placebo], 39.3% [100 mg], 48.1% [200 mg], and 46.3% [400/200 mg], using nonresponder imputation). As a secondary end point, ACR20 response rate in the 200‐mg and 400/200‐mg groups attained statistical significance at week 24 (35.2% [placebo], 39.3% [100 mg], 53.7% [200 mg], and 57.4% [400/200 mg]). Subsequent exploratory subgroup analysis revealed greater efficacy of E6011, particularly in patients with a higher baseline proportion of CD16+ monocytes; ACR20 response rates in this patient subgroup at week 24 were 30.0% (placebo), 46.7% (100 mg), 57.7% (200 mg), and 69.6% (400/200 mg). E6011 administered for 24 weeks was well tolerated.

Conclusion

This is the first evidence that E6011, a novel cell trafficking inhibitor targeting the FKN–CX₃CR1 interaction, is modestly effective with 24 weeks of treatment in RA patients, although the primary end point was not met.

A phase 2 study of E6011, an anti-Fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with rheumatoid arthritis inadequately responding to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the safety and efficacy of E6011, a novel humanized anti-fractalkine monoclonal antibody, in patients with active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) with an inadequate response to biological disease-modifying antirheumatic drugs (DMARDs).

METHODS

Active RA patients inadequately responding to biological DMARDs were randomly assigned to placebo or E6011 400-mg group at a 1:1 ratio, and administered E6011 at weeks 0, 1, 2, and subsequently every 2 weeks. Primary endpoint was American College of Rheumatology (ACR)20 response at week 12.

RESULTS

Of 64, 33 received placebo, 31 received E6011 400-mg. The ACR20 response rate at week 12 (non-responder imputation) was 27.3% and 22.6% in the placebo and E6011 groups, respectively. ACR50, ACR70 response rates at week 12 were 3.0%, 0% in the placebo and 9.7%, 3.2% in the E6011 group. Exploratory PK exposure analysis revealed that the effect of E6011 tended to be clearer in patients with higher serum trough E6011 concentration. E6011 was well tolerated with no notable safety concerns.

CONCLUSIONS

E6011 400-mg was well tolerated but had no clear efficacy at week 12 in RA patients with inadequate response to biologics. Further investigations are warranted to determine the optimal clinical dose and evaluation period for E6011.

Brain amino acid sensing

The 20 different amino acids, in blood as well as in the brain, are strictly maintained at the same levels throughout the day, regardless of food intake. Gastric vagal afferents only respond to free glutamate and sugars, providing recognition of food intake and initiating digestion. Metabolic control of amino acid homeostasis and diet-induced thermogenesis is triggered by this glutamate signalling in the stomach through the gut-brain axis. Rats chronically fed high-sugar and high-fat diets do not develop obesity when a 1% (w/v) monosodium glutamate (MSG) solution is available in a choice paradigm. Deficiency of the essential amino acid lysine (Lys) induced a plasticity in rats in response to Lys. This result shows how the body is able to identify deficient nutrients to maintain homeostasis. This plastic effect is induced by activin A activity in the brain, particularly in certain neurons in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) which is the centre for amino acid homeostasis and appetite. These neurons respond to glutamate signalling in the oral cavity by which umami taste is perceived. They play a quantitative role in regulating ingestion of deficient nutrients, thereby leading to a healthier life. After recovery from malnutrition, rats prefer MSG solutions, which serve as biomarkers for protein nutrition.

Detecting sweet and umami tastes in the gastrointestinal tract

Information about nutrients is a critical part of food selection in living creatures. Each animal species has developed its own way to safely seek and obtain the foods necessary for them to survive and propagate. Necessarily, humans and other vertebrates have developed special chemosensory organs such as taste and olfactory organs. Much attention, recently, has been given to the gastrointestinal (GI) tract as another chemosensory organ. Although the GI tract had been considered to be solely for digestion and absorption of foods and nutrients, researchers have recently found taste-signalling elements, including receptors, in this tissue. Further studies have revealed that taste cells in the oral cavity and taste-like cells in the GI tract appear to share common characteristics. Major receptors to detect umami, sweet and bitter are found in the GI tract, and it is now proposed that taste-like cells reside in the GI tract to sense nutrients and help maintain homeostasis. In this review, we summarize recent findings of chemoreception especially through sweet and umami sensors in the GI tract. In addition, the possibility of purinergic transmission from taste-like cells in the GI tract to vagus nerves is discussed.

Induction of Fos expression in the rat forebrain after intragastric administration of monosodium L-glutamate, glucose and NaCl

l-glutamate, an umami taste substance, is a key molecule coupled to a food intake signaling pathway. Furthermore, recent studies have unveiled new roles for dietary glutamate on gut-brain axis communication via activation of gut glutamate receptors and subsequent vagus nerve. In the present study, we mapped activation sites of the rat forebrain after intragastric load of 60 mM monosodium l-glutamate (MSG) by measurement of Fos protein, a functional marker of neuronal activation. The same concentration of d-glucose (sweet) and NaCl (salty) was used as controls. MSG administration exclusively produced enhanced Fos expression in four hypothalamic regions (the medial preoptic area, lateral hypothalamic area, dorsomedial nucleus, and arcuate nucleus). On the other hand, glucose administration exclusively enhanced Fos induction in the nucleus accumbens. Both MSG and glucose enhanced Fos induction in three brain regions (the habenular nucleus, paraventricular nucleus, and central nucleus of the amygdala). However, MSG induced Fos inductions were more potent than those of glucose in the habenular nucleus and paraventricular nucleus. Importantly, the present study identified for the first time two brain areas (the paraventricular and arcuate hypothalamic nuclei) that are more potently activated by intragastric MSG loads compared with glucose and NaCl. Overall, our results suggest significant activation of a neural network comprising the habenular nucleus, amygdala, and the hypothalamic subnuclei following intragastric load with glutamate.

The role of the GABAergic and dopaminergic systems in the brain response to an intragastric load of alcohol in conscious rats

The brain's response to ethanol intake has been extensively investigated using electrophysiological recordings, brain lesion techniques, and c-Fos immunoreactivity. However, few studies have investigated this phenomenon using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI). In the present study, we used fMRI to investigate the blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signal response to an intragastric (IG) load of ethanol in conscious, ethanol-naive rats. An intragastrically infused 10% ethanol solution induced a significant decrease in the intensity of the BOLD signal in several regions of the brain, including the bilateral amygdala (AMG), nucleus accumbens (NAc), hippocampus, ventral pallidum, insular cortex, and cingulate cortex, and an increase in the BOLD signal in the ventral tegmental area (VTA) and hypothalamic regions. Treatment with bicuculline, which is an antagonist of the gamma-aminobutyric acid A (GABA(A)) receptor, increased the BOLD signal intensity in the regions that had shown decreases in the BOLD signal after the IG infusion of 10% ethanol solution, but it did not affect the BOLD signal increase in the hypothalamus. Treatment with SCH39166, which is an antagonist of D1-like receptors, eliminated the increase in the BOLD signal intensity in the hypothalamic areas but did not affect the BOLD signal decrease following the 10% ethanol infusion. These results indicate that an IG load of ethanol caused both a GABA(A) receptor-mediated BOLD decrease in the limbic system and the cortex and a D1-like receptor-mediated BOLD increase in the hypothalamic regions in ethanol-naive rats.

Effects of isoflurane and alpha-chloralose anesthesia on BOLD fMRI responses to ingested L-glutamate in rats

It is important to investigate the effect of anesthesia on blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) signals in an animal model. Many researchers have investigated the BOLD response to visual, sensory, and chemical stimuli in anesthetized rats. There are no reports, however, comparing the differences in the BOLD signal change between anesthetized and conscious rats when a visceral nutrient signal arises. Here, using functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI), we investigated the differences in the BOLD signal changes after intragastric administration of l-glutamate (Glu) under three anesthesia conditions: conscious, alpha-chloralose-anesthetized, and isoflurane-anesthetized condition. Under the conscious and alpha-chloralose condition, we observed the significant BOLD signal increase in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), insular cortex (IC), hippocampus, and several hypothalamic regions including the lateral and ventromedial nucleus. In chloralose group, however, gut Glu stimulation induced BOLD signal increase in the prelimbic cortex and orbital cortex, which did not activate in conscious condition. Meanwhile, under isoflurane-anesthetized condition, we did not observe the BOLD signal increase in these areas. BOLD signal intensity in the nucleus of the solitary tract (NTS), to which vagus nerve transmits the visceral information from the gastrointestinal tract, increased in all conditions. Importantly, under conscious condition, we observed increased BOLD signal intensity in several regions related to the metabolic state (i.e. hunger or satiety), such as the mPFC, ventromedial and lateral hypothalamus (LH). Our results suggest that alpha-chloralose and isoflurane anesthesia caused distinct effects on BOLD response to the gut l-Glu stimulation in several brain regions.

Integrating statistical predictions and experimental verifications for enhancing protein-chemical interaction predictions in virtual screening

Predictions of interactions between target proteins and potential leads are of great benefit in the drug discovery process. We present a comprehensively applicable statistical prediction method for interactions between any proteins and chemical compounds, which requires only protein sequence data and chemical structure data and utilizes the statistical learning method of support vector machines. In order to realize reasonable comprehensive predictions which can involve many false positives, we propose two approaches for reduction of false positives: (i) efficient use of multiple statistical prediction models in the framework of two-layer SVM and (ii) reasonable design of the negative data to construct statistical prediction models. In two-layer SVM, outputs produced by the first-layer SVM models, which are constructed with different negative samples and reflect different aspects of classifications, are utilized as inputs to the second-layer SVM. In order to design negative data which produce fewer false positive predictions, we iteratively construct SVM models or classification boundaries from positive and tentative negative samples and select additional negative sample candidates according to pre-determined rules. Moreover, in order to fully utilize the advantages of statistical learning methods, we propose a strategy to effectively feedback experimental results to computational predictions with consideration of biological effects of interest. We show the usefulness of our approach in predicting potential ligands binding to human androgen receptors from more than 19 million chemical compounds and verifying these predictions by in vitro binding. Moreover, we utilize this experimental validation as feedback to enhance subsequent computational predictions, and experimentally validate these predictions again. This efficient procedure of the iteration of the in silico prediction and in vitro or in vivo experimental verifications with the sufficient feedback enabled us to identify novel ligand candidates which were distant from known ligands in the chemical space.

Human herpes virus 8-negative primary effusion lymphoma with BCL6 rearrangement in a patient with idiopathic CD4 positive T-lymphocytopenia

Primary effusion lymphoma (PEL) was initially designated as a body-cavity-based lymphoma and recognized as a distinct clinical entity without a contiguous tumor mass. PEL was first reported in patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) and the distinctive feature of PEL originally reported as a B-cell neoplasm characterized by infection of the tumor cells by human herpes virus 8 (HHV-8). However, there have recently been several reports of PEL in patients without human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or HHV-8 infection.

Purification and characterization of dibenzothiophene (DBT) sulfone monooxygenase, an enzyme involved in DBT desulfurization, from Rhodococcus erythropolis D-1

Dibenzothiophene (DBT), a model of organic sulfur compound in petroleum, is microbially desulfurized to 2-hydroxybiphenyl by Rhodococcus erythropolis D-1. Three desulfurization (Dsz) enzymes--DszC, A, and B--and flavin reductase are involved in sulfur-specific DBT desulfurization. In this study, DszA was purified, characterized, and crystallized from R. erythropolis D-1. DszA, DBT sulfone monooxygenase, is the second enzyme in microbial DBT desulfurization metabolism and catalyzes the conversion of DBT sulfone to 2'-hydroxybiphenyl 2-sulfinic acid in the presence of flavin reductase with cleavage of the carbon-sulfur bond in the DBT skeleton. Using anion-exchange column chromatography, the four enzyme fractions responsible for DBT desulfurization were separated, and DszA was then purified to homogeneity. Polygonal crystals of DszA were observed within a week. DszA was found to have a molecular mass of 97 kDa and to consist of two subunits with identical masses of 50 kDa. The N-terminal amino acid sequence of the purified DszA completely coincided with the deduced amino acid sequence for dszA of R. erythropolis IGTS8 except for a methionine residue at the latter N-terminal. The optimal temperature and pH for DszA activity were 35 degrees C and about 7.5. The activity of the enzyme was inhibited by Mn2+, Ni2+, 2,2'-bipyridine, and 8-quinolinol, suggesting that a metal might be involved in its activity. DszA acted on not only DBT sulfone but also on dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxathiin 6-oxide and dibenz[c,e][1,2]oxathiin 6,6-dioxide. Dihydroxybiphenyl was formed from the latter two substrates.

Metabolic interactions between restraint stress and L-lysine: the effect on urea cycle components

We studied the effects of L-lysine on wrap-restraint stress-induced changes in ureagenesis. An exposure to wrap-restraint stress did not affect the plasma concentration of L-lysine, but did decrease plasma urea and arginine. Oral L-lysine (1 g/kg) blocked the effect of stress on ureagenesis, and enhanced the effect of stress on L-arginine. No influence of L-lysine were found in controls. The results imply a stress-specific, ureagenesis-stimulating effect of L-lysine, and suggest an increased requirement for L-arginine during the above conditions.

Early optical emission from the gamma-ray burst of 4 October 2002

Observations of the long-lived emission--or 'afterglow'--of long-duration gamma-ray bursts place them at cosmological distances, but the origin of these energetic explosions remains a mystery. Observations of optical emission contemporaneous with the burst of gamma-rays should provide insight into the details of the explosion, as well as into the structure of the surrounding environment. One bright optical flash was detected during a burst, but other efforts have produced negative results. Here we report the discovery of the optical counterpart of GRB021004 only 193 seconds after the event. The initial decline is unexpectedly slow and requires varying energy content in the gamma-ray burst blastwave over the course of the first hour. Further analysis of the X-ray and optical afterglow suggests additional energy variations over the first few days.

Brief exposure to NaCl during early postnatal development enhances adult intake of sweet and salty compounds

Taste acceptance involves both innate and acquired components. We observed an increased acceptance of salty and sweet solutions in adult rats whose tongues had been exposed to an NaCl-enriched milk formula during one day of early postnatal development. This behavioral effect was associated with changes in the norepinephrine system of the basolateral amygdala. No other changes in behavior, food intake, body weight, blood or metabolic parameters of the NaCl-exposed adult rats were identified. The data suggest a causal relationship between NaCl taste exposure, low content of amygdala norepinephrine cells and enhanced intake of sweet and salty compounds by adult rats. They also raise the question of the extent to which similar phenomena may occur during early human infant feeding.

Flavin reductase coupling with two monooxygenases involved in dibenzothiophene desulfurization: purification and characterization from a non-desulfurizing bacterium, Paenibacillus polymyxa A-1

The dibenzothiophene (DBT) desulfurizing bacterium metabolizes DBT to form 2-hydroxybiphenyl without breaking the carbon skeleton. Of the DBT desulfurization enzymes, DszC and DszA catalyze monooxygenation reactions, both requiring flavin reductase. We searched for non-DBT-desulfurizing microorganisms producing a flavin reductase that couples more efficiently with DszC than that produced by the DBT desulfurizing bacterium Rhodococcus erythropolis D-1, and found Paenibacillus polymyxa A-1 to be a promising strain. The enzyme was purified to complete homogeneity. K(m) values for FMN and NADH were 2.1 microM and 0.57 mM, respectively. Flavin compounds were good substrates, some nitroaromatic compounds were also active, and regarding the electron donor, the activity for NADPH was about 1.5 times that for NADH. In the coupling assay with DszC, only FMN or riboflavin acted as the electron acceptor. The coupling reactions of P. polymyxa A-1 flavin reductase with DszC and DszA proceeded more efficiently (3.5- and 5-fold, respectively) than those of R. erythropolis D-1 flavin reductase when identical enzyme activities of each flavin reductase were added to the reaction mixture. The result of the coupling reaction suggested that, in the microbial DBT desulfurization, flavin reductase from the non-DBT-desulfurizing bacterium was superior to that from the DBT-desulfurizing bacterium.

Analysis of 168 short tandem repeat loci in the Japanese population, using a screening set for human genetic mapping

We devised a multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification and loading system for the convenient typing of 168 short tandem repeat (STR) polymorphic markers in a commercially available screening primer set for human linkage analysis. We genotyped all these 168 STR loci with 32 healthy unrelated Japanese, calculated allele frequencies at each STR locus, and performed three kinds of tests for Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium (HWE). Significant deviations from HWE in all three tests were observed at only three loci, and the average heterozygosity in the Japanese (0.733) was slightly lower than that in Caucasians (0.773). We also examined 32 Caucasians at some selected loci, to be compared with Japanese. Some markers showed greatly different heterozygosities or allelic distributions in Japanese and Caucasian populations. In two groups of STRs, those with and without irregular alleles (or interalleles), the former had a higher proportion of bimodal allelic distribution and possessed more alleles per locus than the latter. However, no significant differences in the observed and expected heterozygosities, or in the powers of discrimination, were found between the two groups. The present basic study of allele frequency databases of these STRs will contribute to further applications in forensic science and human genetics.

[A study on contamination from Legionella spp. at a home for the elderly in Toyohashi City]

OBJECTIVE

Legionnaires disease has been attributed to Legionella spp. in the water distribution systems of buildings. However, recently cases due to contamination of thermal-bath water have been reported in Japan. In this investigation, we examined the supervision of baths and the presence of Legionella spp. in thermal-bath water of homes for the elderly in Toyohashi city.

METHODS

The research was conducted through questionnaires on bathing facilities at 50 sites. Thermal baths were found to be installed at 14 of the sites. We then tested 22 samples from the 14 sites for Legionella spp. and other materials.

RESULTS

From the genus Legionella, only Legionella pneumophila was detected, in 8 samples from 4 sites. Coliforms were also detected. Moreover, disinfectant was not detected in any of the Legionella positive samples of bath water. Legionella positive sites had, however, been replacing their water once a day.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings indicate that the use of disinfectant and the proper supervision of bathing facilities are important in controlling Legionella spp. Legionnaires disease can be averted in homes for the elderly through appropriate measures.

Matrix metalloproteinases and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases in sputum from patients with bronchial asthma

To examine a possibility that matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) participate in the pathogenesis of asthma and/or the development of asthma attack, we measured the concentrations of MMP-2, MMP-9, and their respective tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMP)-2 and TIMP-1, in induced sputa collected from 28 patients with moderate to severe bronchial asthma. Specimens were collected during both the attack and the remission from 15 age- and sex-matched healthy control subjects. The concentration of MMP-9 was significantly (p < 0.05) higher in the patients, even during the remission, as compared to that in healthy controls. The concentrations of MMP-9 (p < 0.05) and its specific inhibitor TIMP-1 (p < 0.01), and MMP-2 (p < 0.01) in these patients during the attack were significantly higher than those in healthy controls. In these patients, the MMP-9 concentration was significantly higher (p < 0.05) during the attack than during the remission. These results suggest that MMPs and TIMPs may be involved in the pathogenesis of bronchial asthma, and that the increased MMP-9 might be involved in the development of attack in patients with chronic asthma.

Dysregulated cytokine production in human cystic fibrosis bronchial epithelial cells

Although pulmonary inflammation is an important pathologic event in cystic fibrosis (CF), the relationship between expression of the CF gene and the inflammatory response is unclear. We studied tumor necrosis factor (TNF) alpha and IL-1beta stimulated production of IL-6 and IL-8 by CF, corrected CF, and normal human bronchial epithelial cells in culture. During the first 24 hours of TNFalpha stimulation, CF cells produced significantly more IL-8 than normal or corrected CF cells. In the second 24 hours of TNFalpha stimulation, IL-6 and IL-8 generation ceased in normal and corrected CF cells but accelerated in CF cells, resulting in marked IL-6 and IL-8 accumulation in CF cells. Similar results were found when cells were stimulated with IL-1beta. Finally, when CF cells were grown at 27 degrees C (a culture condition which results in transport of CF transmembrane conductance regulator, CFTR, to the cell membrane and normalization of chloride conductance) TNFalpha-stimulated production of IL-6 and IL-8 reverted to normal. We conclude that dysregulation of cytokine generation by CF bronchial epithelial cells is directly related to expression of mutant CFTR and these observations provide a potential mechanism for persistence of airway inflammation in CF.

Ethanol and protein metabolism

This article represents the proceedings of a workshop at the 2000 ISBRA Meeting in Yokohama, Japan. The chairs were Carol C. Cunningham and Victor R. Preedy. The presentations were (1) Ribosomal content, ribosomal localization and the levels of ribosomal protein mRNA and rRNA in rat skeletal muscle exposed to ethanol, by Alistair G. Paice, John E. Hesketh, Timothy J. Peters, and Victor R. Preedy; (2) Altered hepatic mitochondrial ribosome structure after chronic ethanol administration, by Vinood B. Patel and Carol C. Cunningham; (3) Clinical aspects of hepatic protein metabolism and alcohol, by Elena Volpi; and (4) Effects of oral intake of alanine plus glutamine on ethanol metabolism and ethanol-related depression in motor activity, by Kazunori Mawatari, H. Masaki, M. Mori, and Kunio Torii.

Effect of lysine on afferent activity of the hepatic branch of the vagus nerve in normal and L-lysine-deficient rats

Amino acid deficiency was modeled by feeding rats a diet deficient in the essential L-amino acid, L-lysine (L-lys). There is a rapid anorectic response to such a diet, and a strong preference for L-lys develops during the deficiency. While the brain appears to trigger this preference, the peripheral pathways that inform the brain about the deficiency are not well understood. One possible information pathway may utilize an "amino acid sensor" in the hepatoportal region. In the present study, we measured in vivo neural activity in normal and L-lys-deficient rat. Compared to the normally fed controls, we found an approximately 100-fold increase in the firing sensitivity of the L-lys sensors in vagal afferent fibers from the hepatoportal region of the L-lys-deficient rats. Injection of 10 mM L-lys into the hepatoportal circulation, but not D-lysine (D-lys), evoked an increase in afferent activity. While L-lys deficiency enhanced the sensitivity of the L-lys sensors, the sensitivity due to other small amino acid sensors remained unchanged. Finally, we observed a time-dependent response of the lysine sensors to lysine deficiency. It required 3-4 days of maintenance on the lysine-deficient diet for the sensitivity of the L-lys sensors to change. Taken together, these results provide additional data to support the existence of putative L-amino acid sensors in the hepatoportal circulation. Additionally, they describe several characteristics of the L-lys sensors and show that these sensors may contribute to the adaptation to dietary L-lys deficiency and to maintenance of L-amino acid homeostasis.

Natto mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid increases soluble calcium in the rat small intestine

We prepared natto (fermented soybeans) mucilage containing poly-gamma-glutamic acid (gamma-PGA) from commercial natto. The effect of natto mucilage on calcium (Ca) solubility in vitro and in vivo was investigated. Ca solubility in vitro increased with an increase in the amount of natto mucilage, due to inhibition of the formation of an insoluble complex of Ca with phosphate by natto mucilage. Rats were fed with 5 g of soybean protein isolate, natto, mucilage-free natto, or natto mucilage diet for 1.5 h. Small intestinal contents were collected 2.5 h after ingestion. In the lower half of the small intestine, both the amount and the percentage of soluble Ca of intestinal contents were significantly higher (P < 0.001) in rats fed with natto mucilage diet than in those fed with the other diets. Natto mucilage also increased Ca solubility in vivo. These results suggested that gamma-PGA is responsible for the increasing effect of natto mucilage on Ca solubility.

In situ EXAFS study on the formation of smectite-type clays containing cobalt cations in lattice

Smectite-type clays containing cobalt cations in octahedral sheets (MST (Co)) were prepared by a hydrothermal treatment of a water slurry of silicon-cobalt hydrous oxide prepared from water glass and cobalt chloride. The formation of silicate fragments having smectite-type structure was studied by EXAFS.

Slippage of nonsuperfluid helium films

We measured the mechanical response of 3He and 4He films on an oscillating substrate using an ultrasonic technique. Up to the coverage at which the fluid state appears at absolute zero, a part of the nonsuperfluid 3He and 4He films underwent slipping relative to the substrate at low temperatures. From the temperature dependence of the slippage, it was found that a thermally activated process plays an important role in the frictional force of this system.

Effects of repeated cold stress on activity of hypothalamic neurons in rats during performance of operant licking task

The present study investigated the effects of repeated cold stress on single neuron activity in the lateral hypothalamic area (LHA) and medial hypothalamic area (MHA) of behaving rats. The rats were trained to lick a protruding spout in response to one of several cue-tone stimuli (CTSs) to ingest water, or amino acid, NaCl or glucose solution. Following this training, the rats were raised under either stressed (repeated temperature changes between -3 and 24 degrees C) or control (24 degrees C) condition for 2 mo. During this period, neuronal activity was recorded in the LHA and MHA. For rats raised under the stressed condition, mean spontaneous firing rate of LHA neurons was significantly greater than for rats under the control condition. More LHA neurons in the stressed rats responded, with an accompanying decrease in activity (inhibitory response), to CTSs than in the control rats. During extinction learning, some LHA neurons enhanced or reversed the responses to CTSs in the stressed rats, whereas no LHA neurons showed such response changes in the control rats. In contrast to the effects of the stressed condition on LHA neuron activity, mean spontaneous firing rate of MHA neurons in the stressed rats was significantly smaller than in the control rats. Fewer MHA neurons in the stressed rats responded to CTSs and/or ingestion of sapid solutions. The preceding results suggested that repeated cold stress produces a specific pattern of changes in spontaneous activity and responses to sensory stimuli in LHA and MHA neurons; this could underlie the behavioral changes induced by repeated cold stress such as hyperphagia and hyper-reactivity to sensory stimuli.

Use of thermal photography to explore the age-dependent effect of monosodium glutamate, NaCl and glucose on brown adipose tissue thermogenesis

Using a sensitive thermocamera and a hairless substrain of Sprague-Dawley rats, we developed a novel in vivo method for the evaluation of diet-induced thermogenesis. The technique enabled time-dependent monitoring of spatial heat dissipation emanating from brown adipose tissue (BAT) during diet intake. Drinking of monosodium glutamate (MSG) solution (0.12 M) enhanced standard protein (15%) diet-induced heat dissipation in young (9-12 weeks old) hairless male rats. No significant enhancement was found in 9- to 12-week-old rats that received sodium chloride (0.12 M) or glucose solution (0.6 M). The enhancing effect of MSG was age-dependent and it was not observed in 18- to 22-week-old rats due to an age-dependent decrease of thermogenic responses. No age-related changes in MSG preference or diet intake were recorded. Although it is unclear whether the effect of MSG was purely enhancing or whether the effect was independently superimposed on the diet-induced thermic activity, the results suggest that in 9- to 12-week-old rats, preference for umami taste might be associated with its enhancing effect on diet-induced thermogenesis.

Release of hypothalamic norepinephrine during MSG intake in rats fed normal and nonprotein diet

Effects of monosodium L-glutamate (MSG) solution (0.06 M) on interstitial levels of norepinephrine (NE) were measured in the lateral hypothalamus (LH). Wistar male rats, housed in standard operant boxes, were fed either normal or nonprotein diet for 3 days. Beside a daily bar-mediated drinking session (75 min), animals were without access to fluids. Microdialysates, collected from the LH during the 75 min of drinking, were analyzed using high-pressure liquid chromatography. No significant responses of the LH NE to the drinking of distilled water, MSG, NaCl (0.06 M), and glucose solution (0.6 M) were found in normally fed rats. However, a specific decline in LH NE release was detected during MSG solution-drinking in rats fed nonprotein diet. As MSG preference indicates protein intake, it is possible that LH NE is, at least partially, one of the brain signals that relate MSG preference to dietary protein intake.

Circadian release of hypothalamic norepinephrine in rats in vivo is depressed during early L-lysine deficiency

Rats rapidly recognize an amino acid-deficient diet, presumably via central mechanisms that involve hypothalamic circuits. We evaluated the effects of a deficiency of the essential amino acid, L-lysine, on the ventromedial hypothalamus (VMH) norepinephrine (NE) circadian release in free-moving, nonstressed rats. A dialysis probe was implanted into the VMH of male Wistar rats. Continuous microdialysis measurement was done during the first 26 h of L-lysine (Lys) deficiency in rats that had free access to food and fluid. The dark phase was from 1900 to 0700 h. Rats were divided into six groups according to their food and fluid intakes. They were fed either normal (Lys sufficient) or Lys deficient powdered food and provided with distilled water, glycine (Gly, 400 mmol/L) or Lys solution (400 mmol/L). In control rats, VMH NE release showed a diurnal pattern, with the lowest levels measured at the onset of the dark phase. In Lys-deficient rats, the release was significantly depressed from the early morning (0500 h) compared with Lys-sufficient rats, without any differences in food and fluid intakes. A normal pattern of VMH NE was restored by the provision of 400 mmol/L Lys solution to deficient rats. The results suggest that the VMH NE release is involved in the early integration of signals about amino acid deficiency.

A Giant Glitch in the Energetic 69 Millisecond X-Ray Pulsar AXS J161730-505505

We present new results on the recently discovered 69 ms X-ray pulsar AXS J161730-505505, the sixth youngest example of a rotation-powered pulsar. We have undertaken a comprehensive X-ray-observing campaign of AXS J161730-505505 with the ASCA, BeppoSAX, and RXTE observatories and follow its long-term spin-down history between 1989 and 1999 using these observations and archival Ginga and ASCA data sets. The spin-down is not simply described by a linear function as originally thought, but instead we find evidence of a giant glitch (DeltaP&solm0;P greater, similar10-6) between 1993 August and 1997 September, perhaps the largest yet observed from a young pulsar. The glitch is well described by steps in P and P&d2; accompanied by a persistent P&d3; similar to those seen in the Vela pulsar. The pulse profile of AXS J161730-505505 presents a single asymmetric peak that is maintained over all observation epochs. The energy spectrum is also steady over time, characterized by a highly absorbed power law with a photon index Gamma=1.4+/-0.2, consistent with that found for other young rotation powered pulsars.

Magnetic resonance imaging and histologic evidence of postoperative back muscle injury in rats

STUDY DESIGN

Postoperative back muscle injury was evaluated in rats by magnetic resonance imaging and histologic analyses.

OBJECTIVE

To compare the magnetic resonance imaging manifestation of back muscle injury with the histologic findings in rats and to subsequently clarify the histopathologic appearance of the high intensity regions on T2-weighted images in human postoperative back muscles.

SUMMARY OF BACKGROUND DATA

In a previous study, it was found that the signal intensity on T2-weighted images of the postoperative back muscles was increased in patients who had postsurgical lumbar muscle impairment, especially in those with a prolonged surgery duration. However, the specific histopathologic changes that cause the high signal intensity on T2-weighted images remain unclear.

METHODS

Rats were divided into three groups: sham operation group, 1-hour retraction group, and 2-hour retraction group. Magnetic resonance imaging and histology of the multifidus muscles were examined before surgery and at 2, 7, and 21 days after surgery.

RESULTS

T2-weighted imaging was more useful than T1-weighted imaging to estimate back muscle injury. The high signal intensity of the multifidus muscles on T2-weighted images remained 21 days after surgery only in the 2-hour retraction group. Histologically, the regeneration of the multifidus muscles was complete at 21 days after surgery in the 1-hour retraction group, but the regenerated muscle fibers in the 2-hour retraction group had a small diameter, and the extracellular fluid space remained large.

CONCLUSION

The high signal intensity on T2-weighted images of the postoperative multifidus muscles in the regenerative phase may be due to an increased extracellular space and incomplete muscle fiber regeneration.

[Sarcoidosis with primary acute cavitation exacerbated by bronchial asthma]

A 22-year-old woman complaining of blurred vision visited our hospital in March 1995 and was given a diagnosis of uveitis. Chest X-ray and computed tomographic (CT) films demonstrated bilateral hilar lymphadenopathy (BHL), diffuse granular shadows in both lung fields, and a cavity with a thin, smooth wall in the right upper lung field. Because histopathologic findings from transbronchial lung biopsy specimens of the lung and cavity tissues disclosed sarcoid granuloma, the diagnosis was sarcoidosis with primary cavitation, which is very rare for this disease. Although BHL disappeared without medication, in November the patient experienced dyspnea due to attacks of bronchial asthma that had been in remission for a long period. Treatment with inhalation of becromethazone propionate markedly alleviated her symptoms. In May 1998, follow-up chest CT films demonstrated that the cavity had disappeared. This case suggested that sarcoidosis leads to a deterioration of asthma control, a conclusion supported by previous reports.

Enhancement of liposome-mediated gene transfer to human airway epithelial cells by replication-deficient adenovirus

We hypothesized that replication-deficient adenovirus (Ad), when complexed with plasmid DNA (pl) and cationic liposomes (L), would enhance liposome-mediated gene transfer in cultured human airway epithelial cells. Pl/L/Ad complexes were formed using charge-charge interactions. A gel electrophoresis retardation assay showed plasmid DNA to be associated with the virus in a high-molecular-weight, low-mobility complex, the diameter of which was 300 to 350 nm. Compared to pl/L alone, pl/L/Ad enhanced luciferase expression on average by 1 log-fold in human airway epithelial cells which express either mutant or wild-type cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR). Transgene expression was sustained at high levels for up to 7 days following transfection with pl/L/Ad. Using a heat-stable alkaline phosphatase reporter gene, we showed that a larger fraction of cells was transfected by pl/L/Ad compared to pl/L. Finally, cells were exposed to Ad for 0 to 24 hours prior to pl/L or exposed to pl/L prior to Ad. We found that enhancement was significantly greater using pl/L/Ad compared to the simultaneous addition of Ad with the pl/L complexes. In addition, when pl/L was added 4 to 24 hours prior to Ad, some enhancement was found, suggesting that plasmid DNA remained in a compartment in the cell for several hours and became available for transcription with the addition of Ad. When Ad was added prior to pl/L, enhancement was found suggesting that the effect of the virus on cell membranes may persist for up to 24 hours. We conclude that the tripartite pl/L/Ad complex significantly enhances liposome-mediated transgene expression for a prolonged period of time in human bronchial epithelial cells.