Role of α2δ3 in Cellular Synchronization of the Suprachiasmatic Nucleus Under Constant Light Conditions

By the effort to identify candidate signaling molecules important for the formation of robust circadian rhythms in the suprachiasmatic nucleus (SCN), the mammalian circadian center, here we characterize the role of α2δ proteins, synaptic molecules initially identified as an auxiliary subunit of the voltage dependent calcium channel, in circadian rhythm formation. In situ hybridization study demonstrated that type 3 α2δ gene (α2δ3) was strongly expressed in the SCN. Mice without this isoform (Cacna2d3^-/-) did not maintain proper circadian locomotor activity rhythms under a constant light (LL) condition, whereas under a constant dark (DD) condition, these mice showed a similar period length and similar light-responsiveness as compared to wild type mice. Reflecting this behavioral phenotype, Cacna2d3^-/- mice showed a severely impaired Per1 expression rhythm in the SCN under LL, but not under DD. Cultured SCN slices from Per1-luc transgenic Cacna2d3^-/- mice revealed reduced synchrony of Per1-luc gene expression rhythms among SCN neurons. These findings suggest that α2δ3 is essential for synchronized cellular oscillations in the SCN and thereby contributes to enhancing the sustainability of circadian rhythms in behavior.

Involvement of urinary bladder Connexin43 and the circadian clock in coordination of diurnal micturition rhythm

Nocturnal enuresis in children and nocturia in the elderly are two highly prevalent clinical conditions characterized by a mismatch between urine production rate in the kidneys and storage in the urinary bladder during the sleep phase. Here we demonstrate, using a novel method for automated recording of mouse micturition, that connexin43 (Cx43), a bladder gap junction protein, is a negative regulator of functional bladder capacity. Bladder Cx43 levels and functional capacity show circadian oscillations in wild-type mice, but such rhythms are completely lost in Cry-null mice having a dysfunctional biological clock. Bladder muscle cells have an internal clock, and show oscillations of Cx43 and gap junction function. A clock regulator, Rev-erbα, upregulates Cx43 transcription as a co-factor of Sp1 using Sp1 cis-elements of the promoter. Therefore, circadianoscillation of Cx43 is associated with the biological clock and contributes to diurnal changes in bladder capacity, which avoids disturbance of sleep by micturition.

Accurate determination of S-phase fraction in proliferative cells by dual fluorescence and peroxidase immunohistochemistry with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine (BrdU) and Ki67 antibodies

To ensure the maintenance of tissues in mammals, cell loss must be balanced with cell production, the proliferative activity being different from tissue to tissue. In this article, the authors propose a new method for the quantification of the proliferative activity, defined as the S-phase fraction of actively cycling cells, by dual labeling with fluorescence and peroxidase immunohistochemistry using BrdU (marker of S-phase) and Ki67 antibodies (marker of G(1)-, S-, G(2)-, and M-phases) after a one-step antigen retrieval. In the generative cell zones of fundic and pyloric glandular stomachs, where the majority of cells were cycling, the authors measured a proliferative activity of 31%. In the epithelium of the forestomach and the skin, where cycling cells are intermingled with G(0) and differentiated cells, proliferative activities were 21% and 13%, respectively. In the adrenal cortex, in which cycling cells were sparsely distributed, the proliferative activity reached 32%. During the regenerative process in the skin after a lesion, the proliferative activity increased in proximity to the wound. The present one-step dual-labeling method has revealed that the proliferative activity is different between tissues and depends on the physiological or pathological state.

Comparison of Plasma Metabolite Concentrations and Enzyme Activities in Beef Cattle Raised by Different Feeding Systems in Korea, Japan and New Zealand

Concentrations of metabolites and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism were measured in plasma of Korean and Japanese beef cattle, which were raised by the indoor feeding system programmed to feed larger amount of roughage in their growing periods and larger amount of concentrate diet in their finishing periods (Japanese feeding system), and grazing New Zealand beef cattle. By the Japanese beef grading system, Korean and Japanese beef cattle showed high beef quality score, average grade 3.3 and 3.6, respectively. The plasma free fatty acid and lactate concentrations and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and aspartate aminotransferase (AST) activities in Korean beef cattle were significantly higher than those in Japanese beef cattle. The plasma lactate concentration in Korean beef cattle was 8.40 mmol/l, which was similar to the values observed in lactic acidosis. The higher activities of plasma LDH, MDH and AST may indicate slight liver damage by slightly acidotic conditions in Korean beef cattle. New Zealand beef cattle fed on pasture which they harvest by grazing showed significantly lower plasma glucose, cholesterol, lactate and IRI concentrations and enzyme activities than those in Korean and Japanese beef cattle fed on larger amount of concentrate diets. Plasma metabolite concentrations and energy metabolism-related enzyme activities may be good indicators for evaluating metabolic conditions of beef cattle raised by different feeding systems.

Effect of supplementation of Agaricus mushroom meal extracts on enzyme activities in peripheral leukocytes of calves

To investigate the effect of Agaricus mushroom meal on the energy metabolism in animal tissues; plasma glucose, triglyceride, cholesterol and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism in plasma and peripheral leukocytes were measured in Japanese Black WagyuxHolstein F1 calves supplemented with Agaricus blazei Murill (A. blazei) extract in milk-replacer at the dose of 60g/head/day for 4 weeks. Activities of malate dehydrogenase and aspartate aminotransferase in cytosol and glutamate dehydrogenase in mitochondria, and the malate dehydrogenase/lactate dehydrogenase ratio in cytosol in peripheral leukocytes of calves with A. blazei were significantly higher than those in control calves without A. blazei. It was concluded that supplementation of Agaricus mushroom meal extract was effective in activation of enzymes related to energy metabolism in peripheral leukocytes of calves.

Comparison of Activities of Enzymes Related to Energy Metabolism in Peripheral Leukocytes and Livers between Holstein Dairy Cows and ICR Mice

Activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism and isoenzyme patterns of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were determined in peripheral leukocytes and livers of Holstein dairy cows and Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) mice. In dairy cow liver, activities of enzymes in glycolysis, malate-aspartate shuttle and lipogenesis were lower, but activities of glucose-6-phosphatase in gluconeogenesis were higher than those in mouse liver. Glucokinase activities were below detection limit in leukocytes and liver of the cows. Dairy cow leukocytes and liver showed the isoenzyme patterns with dominance of LDH-1, -2 and-3, whereas mouse leukocytes and liver showed that LDH-5 was dominant. The LDH isoenzyme patterns were very similar between leukocytes and liver in each animal species. Some enzymes in leukocytes may reflect those enzymes activities in liver and be a useful indicator for energy metabolism in animals.

Changes in peripheral leukocytes enzymes activity and plasma metabolite concentrations in growing Holstein calves

Plasma metabolite and immunoreactive insulin concentrations and activities of enzymes related to energy metabolism in peripheral leukocytes were measured in growing Holstein calves. A ratio of girth of abdomen divided by girth of thorax (A/T ratio) of calves was significantly elevated after weaning, and the A/T ratio maybe a good indicator to evaluate rumen development. Plasma glucose and free fatty acid concentrations were changed in calves accompanying change in feeding. Activities of lactate dehydrogenase with pyruvate as substrate (LDH-P) and hexokinase (HK) in cytosolic fractions of peripheral leukocytes decreased significantly after weaning the calves reflecting the change of energy source from milk replacer with high percentages of fat and glucose and lactose as absorbable carbohydrate to pelleted feed containing starch as less absorbable carbohydrate and roughage. Some peripheral leukocyte enzymes such as LDH and HK may be good indicators to evaluate changes in energy metabolism of growing calves.

Activities of enzymes in some types of peripheral leucocytes may reflect the differences in nutrient metabolism between dogs and cats

Plasma metabolites and immunoreactive insulin (IRI) concentrations and enzyme activities of some types of peripheral leucocytes were measured to clarify one aspect of the differences in nutrient metabolism between dogs and cats. There were no significant differences in plasma concentrations of glucose, triglyceride, free fatty acids and IRI between dogs and cats. Higher total cholesterol and lower HDL cholesterol concentrations were observed in feline plasma, and H/T ratio (HDL/total cholesterol concentrations) was significantly lower than that in canine plasma. The cytosolic activities of fructokinase (FK), pyruvate kinase (PK), glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase (G6PD) and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) were significantly higher and the activities of cytosolic malate dehydrogenase (MDH) and mitochondrial glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) were significantly lower in feline leucocytes than those in canine leucocytes. Higher activities of FK, PK and G6PD, which regulate the rate of biosynthesis of fatty acids, may reflect the different characteristics in nutrient metabolism in feline tissues from canine tissues.

Laser cooling of calcium ions by use of ultraviolet laser diodes: significant induction of electron-shelving transitions

Calcium ions are laser cooled in a Paul trap by use of a grating-stabilized UV laser diode. Unusual quantum jumps or fluctuations in the fluorescence signal are observed without application of any shelving lasers. It has become clear that such phenomena can be ascribed to shelving transitions induced by background 393-nm spontaneous photons emitted from the laser medium. Shelving transitions are suppressed by use of an interference filter, and the ions are successfully cooled to crystallization temperature with sufficient reproducibility.

Appearance of peculiar vessels with immunohistological features of high endothelial venules in the dermis of moxibustion-stimulated rat skin

Morphological changes of the dermal blood vessels ofmoxibustion-stimulated rat skin were examined with reference to the lymphocyte migration. After long-term stimulation with direct moxibustion to the acupoint tsu-san-li (St-36), peculiar vessels that possess immunohistological features of high endothelial venules could be observed in the moxa-stimulated acupoint dermis. Endothelial cells of the vessels had well-developed Golgi apparatus in their plump cytoplasms, and they strongly expressed intercellular adhesion molecule-1 on the luminal surface. These data suggest that the appearance of the peculiar vessels in the dermis acts toward the active infiltration of blood-lymphocytes into the acupoint skin.

Atherosclerotic aneurysm of the intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery: a case report

True aneurysms of the intrathoracic segment of the subclavian artery are extremely rare. Atherosclerosis is the most common etiology. The surgical approach and timing of repair remain controversial. We successfully treated a patient with a large proximal subclavian artery aneurysm which was secondary to atherosclerosis. The patient was asymptomatic for 30 years as the aneurysm enlarged. Three-dimensional computed tomography provided the most useful information regarding anatomy of the cervical vasculature. The patient underwent closure of the inlet port of the aneurysm and repair using a 6-mm Dacron bypass graft (Gelsoft , VASCTEK, Scotland) via a minimally invasive surgical approach.

Surgical treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysms located close to the visceral arteries: report of three cases

The standard surgical treatment for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) is in situ replacement of the infrarenal aorta, which is associated with a low mortality rate. On the other hand, thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAA) remain a formidable challenge and the complications that can occur may be severe including neurologic dysfunction and renal failure. We report herein three cases of patients with AAA located very close to the visceral arteries, for which in situ replacement of the infrarenal aorta was not feasible due to severe inflammation and adhesion. Therefore, aortic stump closure and in situ bypass grafting was performed to avoid reconstruction of the visceral arteries. No major complications or operation-related deaths occurred. Thus, while in situ replacement is usually recommended over bypass grafting for patients whose aneurysms are located very close to the visceral arteries, aortic stump closure and in situ bypass grafting should be considered as a more effective surgical option.

Laser cooling and isotope separation of Cd(+) ions conf ined in a linear Paul trap

Cadmium ions in a natural isotope mixture have been trapped in a linear Paul trap and laser cooled. The fluorescence spectra from all even isotopes, including the (108)Cd(+) isotopes with a natural abundance of 0.89%, were observed. Additionally, we eliminated the heavier isotopes from the trapping region by adjusting the tuning of the laser frequency and by changing the dc voltage applied to the end electrodes.

High-power second-harmonic generation with picosecond and hundreds-of-picosecond pulses of a cw mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser

A cw mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser was efficiently frequency doubled with a lithium triborate crystal in an external enhancement cavity. Second-harmonic output powers of 1.28 W and 860 mW have been generated at 399 nm with fundamental pulse widths of 1.5 and 320 ps, respectively. At the 1.5-ps pulse width the conversion efficiency was 75%. The spectral width of the 320-ps pulses, produced by modification of a laser cavity, is as narrow as the bandwidth of a normal cw, multimode, narrow-bandwidth Ti:sapphire laser. The frequency-doubled output can be thus used as a high-power, narrow-bandwidth light source in the UV region.

Tunable 397-nm light source for spectroscopy obtained by frequency doubling of a diode laser

Continuous-wave radiation of 1.8 mW at 397 nm was generated by frequency doubling a 100-mW GaAlAs diode laser in a lithium iodate crystal placed in an external enhancement cavity. The radiation had a narrow linewidth and a continuous frequency-scanning range of 6 GHz. The UV radiation obtained was applied to laser cooling of calcium ions stored in a rf trap.

Laser cooling of trapped Ca(+) and measurement of the 3(2)D(5/2) state lifetime

We describe the laser cooling of Ca(+) ions in a rf ion trap and the measurement of its 3(2)D(5/2) state lifetime. The ions are cooled to below 1 K by radiation from a frequency-doubled Ti:sapphire laser and a laser diode. The radiative lifetime is measured by observing the change in fluorescence when the ions, which are optically pumped to the metastable state, return to the cooling cycle. The lifetime of the 3(2)D(5/2) state is measured to be 0.77 +/- 0.07 s.

Continuous-wave sum-frequency generation near 194 nm in beta-BaB(2)O(4) crystals with an enhancement cavity

Continuous-wave coherent radiation tunable near 194 nm has been generated by sum-frequency generation in beta-BaB(2)O(4) placed inside an external enhancement cavity. An output power of 16 microW has been obtained with a walk-off-compensated configuration of beta-BaB(2)O(4) crystals.

[A clinical study on CA 15-3, CEA, SCC-Ag in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung]

The serum levels of CA 15-3, Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and SCC-Ag were determined in 30 patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the lung. The patients were classified into 2 groups, a peripheral type and a central type, according to bronchoscopic findings. The obtained results were as follows: serum-CA 15-3 and serum-CEA were significantly elevated in patients with peripheral type, and serum-SCC-Ag was elevated in both types of squamous cell carcinoma.

Sexually transmitted diseases among prostitutes in Fukuoka, Japan

The prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) among prostitutes was investigated at a genitourinary hospital in Fukuoka, Japan, in 1985 and 1986. The most common STD was Chlamydia trachomatis infection, followed by gonorrhea and condyloma acuminatum. Candidiasis, trichomoniasis and genital herpes were relatively uncommon. The rate of prostitutes who had STD but had no subjective symptoms were 42.9% in 1985 and 30.9% in 1986. The rate of prostitutes having mixed STD infection was 35.8% among the summed 162 STD-contracted prostitutes.

Prevalence of hepatitis B markers, antibodies to adult T cell leukemia/lymphoma virus and antibodies to human immune deficiency virus in prostitutes in Fukuoka, Japan

Prevalence of hepatitis B (HB) markers, antibodies to human T cell leukemia virus (HTLV-1) and antibodies to human immune deficiency virus 1 (HIV-1) in prostitutes working in Fukuoka city were studied. Sera were collected from 237 prostitutes during January-September, 1986. Among them, 9 (3.8%) were HB virus surface-antigen (HBs Ag) positive, of whom, 3 were HBe antigen positive and the remaining 6 were anti-HBe positive. The positive rate of anti-HBs was 34.2%. The incidence of anti-HTLV-1 in the prostitutes was 5.9%. These incidences are considered to be within the usual range in Kyushu district. No seropositive case for anti-HIV was found.

[Ceftriaxone as a single-dose treatment for male gonococcal urethritis]

Ceftriaxone was used in single intravenously dose of 1 g to treat 20 men with gonorrhoea caused by penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) and non-PPNG. Of 14 patients followed up, 13 (92.9%) were cured. Cure rates for PPNG infections and non-PPNG infections were 100% and 90.9% respectively. No side effect was observed except 1 case of vomiting out of 20 cases. It is concluded that this drug is safe and effective in treating both PPNG and non-PPNG infections.

Gonorrhoea caused by a mixture of penicillinase-positive and -negative gonococci: a case report

A 23-year-old unmarried man was infected with gonorrhoea from a prostitute in Fukuoka City and was treated with ampicillin which resulted in failure. By a rapid iodometric test it was found that the isolates before the treatment were penicillinase-negative. After the ampicillin treatment, however, the isolates turned to penicillinase-positive but were, in fact, a mixture of penicillinase-positive and penicillinase-negative gonococcal strains. Treatment by spectinomycin and doxycycline resulted in failure but the gonorrhoea was cured by ribostamycin.

Epidemiology and treatment of gonorrhoea caused by penicillinase-producing strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae in Fukuoka, Japan

Thirty strains of penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) were detected by a rapid iodometric method out of 206 strains isolated from patients with gonorrhoea between January and December 1981. Of the 30 patients, five of the nine women were prostitutes and 14 of the 21 men were infected by prostitutes in or around Fukuoka City, with the exception of one who was infected in Formosa. Treatment with ampicillin or amoxycillin resulted in failure whereas treatment with spectinomycin was successful.

Antibiotic sensitivity patterns of penicillinase-positive and penicillinase-negative strains of Neisseria gonorrhoeae isolated in Fukuoka, Japan

Penicillinase production and minimum inhibitory concentrations (MICs) of penicillin G, amoxycillin, doxycycline, and spectinomycin were studied for 155 gonococcal strains isolated in Fukuoka, Japan, between April and December 1981. Of 155 isolates, 25 (16.1%) strains were identified as penicillinase-producing Neisseria gonorrhoeae (PPNG) by a rapid iodometric test. The antibiotic sensitivity of 130 penicillinase-negative (non-PPNG) and 25 PPNG strains was compared. The mean MIC of penicillin G for non-PPNG strains was 0.65 microgram/ml. Twenty-five PPNG strains had MICs of penicillin G between 6.25 and greater than 100 micrograms/ml. The susceptibility to amoxycillin and doxycycline of PPNG strains was significantly lower than that of non-PPNG strains. All the strains proved to be sensitive to spectinomycin. The MICs of four antibiotics for non-PPNG strains were significantly correlated.