Simultaneous determination of trichothecene mycotoxins and zearalenone in cereals by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry

Trichothecene mycotoxins are commonly distributed in crop fields in the world, and zearalenone has been found in cereals. Rapid and accurate methods for the determination of these mycotoxins is required to prevent the intoxication of humans, and to contribute to the supply of safe foods and feeds for human and livestock. Gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) is a useful method for the determination of these toxins. We describe here our current GC-MS analysis for the simultaneous determination of trichothecenes and zearalenone contaminants in cereals.

Fate of nascent microtubules organized at the M/G1 interface, as visualized by synchronized tobacco BY-2 cells stably expressing GFP-tubulin: time-sequence observations of the reorganization of cortical microtubules in living plant cells

Transgenic BY-2 cells stably expressing a GFP (green fluorescent protein)-tubulin fusion protein (BY-GT16) were subcultured in a modified Linsmaier and Skoog medium. The BY-GT16 cells could be synchronized by aphidicolin and the dynamics of their microtubules (MTs) were monitored by the confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM). We have succeeded in investigating the mode of reorganization of cortical MTs at the M/G1 interface. The cortical MTs were initially organized in the perinuclear regions and then they elongated to reach the cell cortex, forming the bright spots there. Subsequently, the first cortical MTs rapidly elongated from the spots and they were oriented parallel to the long axis towards the distal end of the cells. Around the time when the tips of the parallel MTs reached the distal end, the formation of transverse cortical MTs followed in the cortex near the division site, as we had previously suggested [Hasezawa and Nagata (1991) Bot. Acta 104: 206, Nagata et al. (1994) Planta 193: 567]. It was confirmed in independent observations that the appearance of the parallel MTs was followed by the appearance of the transverse MTs in each cell. We found that the transverse MTs spread through the whole cell cortex within about 20-30 min, while the parallel MTs disappeared. The significance of these observations on the mode of cortical MT organization is discussed.

Mutation analysis of p53 gene in childhood malignant solid tumors

Alterations of the p53 gene have been extensively investigated in a wide variety of human malignancies. However, data on childhood malignant solid tumors are still limited. Mutations of the p53 gene on exons 5 through 8 were examined in 82 childhood malignant solid tumors by the polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism (PCR-SSCP) method, and the nature of these mutations was confirmed by direct sequencing. The 82 tumors examined included neuroblastomas (n = 44), Wilms' tumors in = 13), hepatoblastomas (n = 11), rhabdomyosarcomas (n = 10), extraosseus Ewing sarcomas (n = 2), undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver (n = 1), and fibrosarcoma (n = 1). Two sarcoma samples were identified as having point mutations. One was a rhabdomyosarcoma with a missense mutation at codon 273, substituting histidine (His) for arginine (Arg). Another was an undifferentiated sarcoma of the liver with a missense mutation at codon 245, substituting serine (Ser) for glycine (Gly). No mutations were detected among neuroblastomas, Wilms' tumors, or hepatoblastomas. The two sarcomas with mutations were localized tumors. Both patients who had these tumors are disease free for 8 and 5 years after treatment, respectively. The overall incidence of p53 mutations was low (2.4%, 2 of 82). However, the incidence, when calculated for sarcomas, was higher at 14.3% (2 of 14). These data indicate that p53 mutations are generally uncommon in childhood malignant solid tumors examined. However, in some childhood sarcomas, p53 mutations appear to have a causative role in the development of these tumors.

Internal anal sphincter achalasia: outcome after internal sphincter myectomy

BACKGROUND

Internal anal sphincter achalasia (IASA), also referred to as ultrashort segment Hirschsprung's disease (HD), is a clinical condition with presentation similar to HD, but with the presence of ganglion cells on rectal biopsy. The diagnosis of IASA is made on anorectal manometry, which shows the absence of rectosphincteric reflex on rectal balloon inflation. Altered intramuscular innervation has been reported in IASA. The purpose of this study was to review the outcome after internal sphincter myectomy in patients with IASA.

METHODS

Fifteen consecutive patients (age range, 2 years to 12 years) with IASA underwent posterior internal sphincter myectomy. All patients presented with severe constipation with or without soiling. The diagnosis of IASA was made by anorectal manometry. HD was excluded in these cases by the presence of ganglion cells and normal acetylcholinesterase activity on suction rectal biopsies. Internal sphincter (IS) specimens were examined using immunohistochemistry for the general neuronal marker PGP 9.5 and synapsin 1 (a presynaptic marker) and using general histochemistry for NADPH-diaphorase. All patients underwent follow-up for periods from 2 years to 6 years.

RESULTS

PGP 9.5, synapsin 1 and NADPH-diaphorase positive nerve fibers were either absent or markedly reduced in IASA specimens compared with controls, confirming previous reports of defective intramuscular innervation in IASA. At the time of follow-up, 7 patients have regular bowel motions and are not on any laxatives. Six patients have normal bowel habits but are on small doses of laxatives. One patient is able to stay clean with regular enema regimen. One patient required resection of dilated and redundant sigmoid colon and now has normal bowel habits with laxatives.

CONCLUSION

The majority of patients with internal anal sphincter achalasia can be treated successfully by internal sphincter myectomy.

Roles of actin-depleted zone and preprophase band in determining the division site of higher-plant cells, a tobacco BY-2 cell line expressing GFP-tubulin

The mode of cytokinesis, especially in determining the site of cell division, is not well understood in higher-plant cells. The division site appears to be predicted by the preprophase band of microtubules that develop with the phragmosome, an intracellular structure of the cytoplasm suspending the nucleus and the mitotic apparatus in the center. As the preprophase band disappears during mitosis, it is thought to leave some form of "memory" on the plasma membrane to guide the growth of the new cell plate at cytokinesis. However, the intrinsic nature of this "memory" remains to be clarified. In addition to microtubules, microfilaments also dynamically change forms during cell cycle transition from the late G2 to the early G1 phase. We have studied the relationships between microtubules and microfilaments in tobacco BY-2 cells and transgenic BY-2 cells expressing a fusion protein of green-fluorescent protein and tubulin. At the late G2 phase, microfilaments colocalize with the preprophase band of microtubules. However, an actin-depleted zone which appears at late prometaphase is observed around the chromosomes, especially at metaphase, but also throughout anaphase. To study the functions of the actin-depleted zone, we disrupted the microfilament structures with bistheonellide A, a novel macrolide that depolymerizes microfilaments very rapidly even at low concentrations. The division planes became disorganized when the drug was added to synchronized BY-2 cells before the appearance of the actin-depleted zone. In contrast, the division planes appeared smooth, as in control cells, when the drug was added after the appearance of the actin-depleted zone. These results suggest that the actin-depleted zone may participate in the demarcation of the division site at the final stage of cell division in higher plants.

Graft-versus-tumor effect in a patient with advanced neuroblastoma who received HLA haplo-identical bone marrow transplantation

A 5-year-old boy received CD34-positive HLA haplo-identical bone marrow transplantation from his father as treatment for refractory advanced neuroblastoma. He had residual disease in the para-aortic lymph nodes and multiple bones after the transplant. However, all of his residual disease had disappeared completely 3 years later. He developed grade I acute graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) but had no symptoms of chronic GVHD or any other complications. This case demonstrates the possibility of a graft-versus-tumor effect against neuroblastoma by HLA-mismatched allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Characterization of the ligand binding activities of vitronectin: interaction of vitronectin with lipids and identification of the binding domains for various ligands using recombinant domains

Vitronectin is a multifunctional plasma glycoprotein which may regulate the systems related to protease cascades such as the coagulation, fibrinolysis, and complement systems as well as cell adhesion. Solid-phase assays and affinity chromatography on immobilized glycolipids indicated that vitronectin purified under denaturing conditions bound to sulfatide (Gal(3-SO4)beta1-1ceramide), cholesterol 3-sulfate, and various phospholipids, but not gangliosides. Only the unfolded or multimeric form of vitronectin bound to sulfatide, suggesting a conformational dependency of the binding activity, while vitronectin bound to cholesterol 3-sulfate regardless of its conformational state. The recombinant domains of human vitronectin and mutants with certain domains deleted were separately expressed in E. coli as fusion proteins. Using the recombinants, sulfatide-, phosphatidylserine-, cholesterol 3-sulfate-, Type I collagen-, heparin-, and beta-endorphin-binding activities were found to be attributable to hemopexin domain 2 and hemopexin domain 1. The possibility was suggested that the presence of a somatomedin domain and/or connecting region flanking hemopexin domain 1 inactivated its heparin binding. De-N-glycosylation of plasma vitronectin significantly affected the cholesterol sulfate- and collagen-binding activities, although its effects were opposite. These findings suggest that diverse ligand-binding activities could be attributed to pexin family motifs but that the interdomain interactions and glycosylations modulate the ligand binding activities of vitronectin.

Three-dimensional morphology of gut innervation in total intestinal aganglionosis using whole-mount preparation

BACKGROUND

Total intestinal aganglionosis (TIA) is a rare form of Hirschsprung's disease (HD). The aim of this study was to examine the 3-dimensional morphology of the myentric plexus of the entire gastrointestinal tract in a newborn with total intestinal aganglionosis.

METHODS

Whole-mount preparations were made of the entire gastrointestinal tract using NADPH-diaphorase histochemistry and c-kit (a marker of interstitial cells of Cajal) immunohistochemistry.

RESULTS

Whole-mount preparations of the esophagus, stomach, and duodenum showed 3-dimensional morphology of the myenteric plexus forming a meshlike network of nerve fibers, connected to each other and to ganglia. There were large numbers of NADPH-diaphrase-positive nerve fibers between the muscle fibers in the circular muscle layer. In esophagus, stomach, and duodenum, c-kit-positive interstitial cells of Cajal (ICC) formed a 3-dimensional network between the two muscle layers and also were abundant within the circular muscle layer. In the jejunum, ileum, and colon, the myenteric plexus was absent and was replaced by hypertrophic nerve bundles that stained weakly with NADPH-diaphrase. Circular muscle layer completely lacked NADPH-diaphrase-positive nerve fibers. The c-kit-positive ICCs in the jejunum, ileum, and colon were sparse and localized mainly around the nerve trunks between the circular and longitudinal muscle layers.

CONCLUSIONS

Whole-mount preparation is an elegant 3-dimensional technique in which the relationship of branching and interconnecting nerve fibers to each other and to muscle can be seen clearly. Absence of myenteric plexus, lack of nitrergic innervation, and depletion of interstitial cells of Cajal in the bowel wall throughout the small and large bowel contribute to the inability of the smooth muscle to relax, thereby causing lack of peristalsis in TIA.

Observation of untreated patients with neuroblastoma detected by mass screening: a "wait and see" pilot study

BACKGROUND

Recent studies have indicated that mass screening for neuroblastoma detects tumors that otherwise would have regressed spontaneously without recognition. Therefore, we started an observation program for these patients to determine how frequently spontaneous regression occurs.

PROCEDURE

Eighteen patients were detected by mass screening between June 1994 and December 1996. Eight of these cases matched the following criteria and entered the observation program: Stage I or II, less than 5 cm in diameter; no involvement of large vessels or organs; not difficult to resect; informed consent. If there were an increase in tumor size, an elevation of tumor markers, or evidence of metastasis, the tumor would be immediately resected.

RESULTS

Five of the eight cases showed spontaneous regression. Although the remaining three tumors were resected 6-10 months after diagnosis, all patients survived without evidence of recurrence.

CONCLUSIONS

At least 60% of neuroblastoma cases who entered our observation program regressed spontaneously.

Tracheal agenesis in a child who survived for 6 years

The authors report on a child with tracheal agenesis who survived for 6 years and 10 months. A female infant was born with respiratory distress and an absence of audible cry. With mask ventilation, gastrostomy and division of the esophagus was performed just after birth. She was well ventilated with an endotracheal tube inserted through the cervical esophagostomy after thoracic esophageal banding. An accidental extubation caused her anoxic encephalopathy at 9 months of age. She had been alive without artificial ventilatory support until she died of acute esophageal bleeding.

Circadian-regulated transcription of the psbD light-responsive promoter in wheat chloroplasts

The level of mRNAs derived from the plastid-encoded psbD light-responsive promoter (LRP) is controlled by a circadian clock(s) in wheat (Triticum aestivum). The circadian oscillations in the psbD LRP mRNA level persisted for at least three cycles in continuous light and for one cycle in continuous dark, with maxima in subjective morning and minima in subjective early night. In vitro transcription in chloroplast extracts revealed that the circadian cycles in the psbD LRP mRNA level were dominantly attributed to the circadian-regulated transcription of the psbD LRP. The effects of various mutations introduced into the promoter region on the psbD LRP activity in vitro suggest the existence of two positive elements located between -54 and -36, which generally enhance the transcription activity, and an anomalous core promoter structure lacking the functional "-35" element, which plays a crucial role in the circadian fluctuation and light dependency of psbD LRP transcription activity.

A genome-wide scan for genes involved in primary vesicoureteric reflux

BACKGROUND

Vesicoureteric reflux (VUR) is the retrograde flow of urine from the bladder into the ureters. It is the most common urological anomaly in children, and a major cause of end-stage renal failure and hypertension in both children and adults. VUR is seen in approximately 1-2% of Caucasian newborns and is frequently familial.

OBJECTIVE AND METHODS

In order to search for genetic loci involved in VUR, we performed a genome-wide linkage scan using 4710 single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in 609 individuals from 129 Irish families with >1 affected member.

RESULTS

Nonparametric linkage (NPL) analysis of the dataset yielded moderately suggestive linkage at chromosome 2q37 (NPL(max) = 2.67, p<0.001). Analysis of a subset without any additional features, such as duplex kidneys, yielded a maximum NPL score of 4.1 (p = 0.001), reaching levels of genome-wide statistical significance. Suggestive linkage was also seen at 10q26 and 6q27, and there were several smaller peaks.

CONCLUSION

Our results confirm the previous conclusion that VUR is genetically heterogeneous, and support the identification of several disease-associated regions indicated by smaller studies, as well as indicating new regions of interest for investigation.

Mechanisms underlying the antireflux effect of Nissen fundoplication in children

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

It is reported that the main mechanism responsible for gastroesophageal reflux (GER) is transient lower esophageal sphincter (LES) relaxation in children. However, the effect of Nissen fundoplication on transient LES relaxation has not been investigated in children. This study examined the effect of Nissen fundoplication on motor patterns of the LES in children with pathological GER.

METHODS

Esophageal manometry and pH were recorded concurrently for 2 hours after administration of apple juice (10 mL/kg). In seven children documented to have pathological GER by prolonged esophageal pH monitoring (%time pH less than 4.0>5.0), studies were performed preoperatively and 1 to 3 months after surgery.

RESULTS

Nissen fundoplication virtually eliminated reflux in all patients. Percentage of time pH was less than 4.0 reduced from 15+/-9 to 0+/-0. Basal LES pressure did not change significantly (pre, 21+/-10 mm Hg v post, 27+/-9 mm Hg). The number of transient LES relaxation reduced significantly from 13+/-4 to 7+/-7, and the mean nadir LES pressures during swallow-induced LES relaxation and transient LES relaxation increased significantly from 1+/-1 mm Hg to 13+/-5 mm Hg and from 0+/-0 mm Hg to 11+/-7 mm Hg, respectively.

CONCLUSIONS

Our findings suggest the antireflux effects of Nissen fundoplication may be based on changes of LES motor patterns that result in incomplete LES relaxation and reduction of the number of transient LES relaxation.

Population Research of Genetic Polymorphism at Amino Acid Position 631 in Chicken Mx Protein with Differential Antiviral Activity

A single amino acid substitution between Asn and Ser at position 631 in the chicken Mx protein has been reported to determine resistant and sensitive antiviral activity. In this study, we investigate whether various kinds of chicken breeds and jungle fowls carry the resistant or sensitive Mx allelic gene by using the mismatched PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (RFLP) technique. In total, 271 samples from 36 strains of 17 chicken breeds and from 3 kinds of jungle fowls were examined. The rates of the resistant Mx gene and sensitive gene were 59.2% and 40.8%, respectively. Only a Red jungle fowl captured in Laos carried the resistant Mx gene, and the other three Red jungle fowls from Indonesia and Gray and Green jungle fowls all had the sensitive Mx gene. These results were confirmed by the determination of amino acid sequences in the GTPase effector domain of jungle fowls.

Increased vascular endothelial growth factor peptide and gene expression in hypoplastic lung in nitrofen induced congenital diaphragmatic hernia in rats

Persistent pulmonary hypertension (PPH) in congenital diaphragmatic hernia (CDH) lung has been shown to be associated with structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature, including medial and adventitial thickening. Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a potent mitogenic and permeability factor targeting predominantly endothelial cells. mRNA encoding VEGF is detected in all fetal tissues and is most abundant in fetal lung, kidney, and liver. Recently, antenatal dexamethasone (Dex) treatment has been shown to prevent pulmonary-artery structural changes in experimentally-produced CDH. The aim of this study was to investigate mRNA and protein levels of VEGF in CDH lung and to determine whether antenatal Dex treatment has any effect on the production of VEGF. A CDH model was induced in pregnant rats following administration of 100 mg nitrofen on days 9.5 of gestation (term=22 days). Dex 0.25 mg/kg was given on day 18.5 and 19.5. Cesarean section was performed on day 21 of gestation. The fetuses were divided into three groups: normal controls (NC, n=8); nitrofen-induced CDH (CDH, n=8); and nitrofen-induced CDH with antenatal Dex treatment (CDH-Dex, n=8). Protein and mRNA were extracted from the whole lung. VEGF protein was measured by ELISA assay and mRNA expression was evaluated by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction. Immunohistochemistry using anti-rat VEGF antibody was also performed in each group. VEGF protein as well as mRNA expression were significantly increased in the CDH group compared to the NC group, which was not affected by antenatal Dex treatment. VEGF immunoreactivity in pulmonary vessel walls was increased in the CDH and CDH-Dex groups compared to the NC group. The enhanced VEGF protein and mRNA expression in CDH lung suggests that increased local synthesis of VEGF may be responsible for the structural changes in the pulmonary vasculature in CDH lung. VEGF expression in CDH lung is not downregulated by antenatal Dex treatment.

An alternatively spliced fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-5 mRNA is abundant in brain and translates into a partial agonist/antagonist for FGF-5 neurotrophic activity

We detected in the brain and then cloned two novel, short forms of human and mouse fibroblast growth factor (FGF)-5 mRNA, which were designated human FGF-5S (hFGF-5S) and mouse FGF-5S (mFGF-5S), respectively. Genomic analysis indicated that mFGF-5S and authentic mFGF-5 mRNAs were transcribed from a single gene; hFGF-5S and mFGF-5S mRNAs were generated by excluding the second exon of the respective FGF-5 genes, and the alternatively spliced mRNAs encoded for 123- and 121-amino acid proteins, respectively. Indeed, a neuron-like cell line expressing mFGF-5S mRNA secreted a protein of the expected size and with FGF-5 antigenicity. In PC12 cells, expression of hFGF-5 or exposure to hFGF-5 protein induced differentiation. Neither expression of hFGF-5S, alone, nor co-expression of hFGF-5S with hFGF-5 induced significant differentiation. At high concentrations, hFGF-5S protein partially antagonized FGF-5 activity, whereas by itself, hFGF-5S exerted very weak neurotrophic activity. hFGF-5S protein binds to FGF receptor (FGFR)-1 on PC12 transfectants and partially inhibits hFGF-5-induced tyrosine phosphorylation of FGFR-1 and an FGFR substrate, but it also induces phosphorylation by itself. These results suggest that FGF-5S is a naturally expressed partial agonist/antagonist of FGF-5 neurotrophic activity in the brain and that its effects are exerted in part at the level of the receptor.

Usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in surgical newborns with antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

The risks of homologous transfusion and the effectiveness of predeposit autologous transfusion have been described. The authors examined the clinical usefulness of cord-blood harvesting for autologous transfusion in newborns who had congenital anomalies antenatally diagnosed that would require surgical intervention at or near the time of delivery.

METHODS

Of 112 cases of antenatal diagnosis of congenital anomalies, 50 mothers gave informed consent and enrolled in this study. Cord-blood was withdrawn immediately after clamping of the umbilical cord and was used for autologous transfusion in newborns within the first 3 days postpartum.

RESULTS

A mean of 72 +/- 54 mL of cord-blood was harvested (27 +/- 18 mL/kg). While preserving cord-blood for 3 days at 4 degrees C, no signs of clot formation or hemolysis were observed. The harvested cord-blood included plasma-free Hb ranging from 1 to 68 (13 +/- 18) mg/dL and thrombin-antithrombin III complex ranging from 2 to 273 (18 +/- 50) ng/mL. Bacteriologic examination of the stored cord-blood showed negative cultures, except for samples from 3 newborns after vaginal delivery. A mean of 46 +/- 34 mL of cord-blood was used in 26 patients for autologous transfusion. No significant complications related to cord-blood transfusion were recognized clinically.

CONCLUSIONS

Autologous cord-blood transfusion has the potential to be a useful alternative to homologous transfusion in newborns requiring surgery. Adequate collection and storage techniques for cord-blood must be developed. J Pediatr Surg 36:851-854.

Engineering of an FGF-proteoglycan fusion protein with heparin-independent, mitogenic activity

In the absence of heparan sulfate (HS) on the surface of target cells, or free heparin (HP) in the vicinity of their receptors, fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family members cannot exert their biological activity and are easily damaged by proteolysis. This limits the utility of FGFs in a variety of applications including treatment of surgical, burn, and periodontal tissue wounds, gastric ulcers, segmental bony defects, ligament and spinal cord injury. Here we describe an FGF analog engineered to overcome this limitation by fusing FGF-1 with HS proteoglycan (PG) core protein. The fusion protein (PG-FGF-1), which was expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells and collected from the conditioned medium, possessed both HS and chondroitin sulfate sugar chains. After fractionation, intact PG-FGF-1 proteins with little affinity to immobilized HP and high-level HS modification, but not their heparitinase or heparinase digests, exerted mitogenic activity independent of exogenous HP toward HS-free Ba/F3 transfectants expressing FGF receptor. Although PG-FGF-1 was resistant to tryptic digestion, its physiological degradation with a combination of heparitinase and trypsin augmented its mitogenic activity toward human endothelial cells. The same treatment abolished the activity of simple FGF-1 protein. By constructing a biologically active proteoglycan-FGF-1 fusion protein, we have demonstrated an approach that may prove effective for engineering not only FGF family members, but other HP-binding molecules as well.

Structures of the N-linked oligosaccharides on human plasma vitronectin

The structures of N-linked oligosaccharides present on human plasma vitronectin were elucidated. Oligosaccharides were released from the vitronectin by N-glycosidase F digestion and tagged with 2-aminopyridine; the pyridylamino-oligosaccharides were then fractionated by anion-exchange and reverse-phase HPLC. Ten major pyridylamino-oligosaccharides were isolated. The linkages and locations of sialic acid residues were determined by desialylation with Salmonella sialidase in combination with acid. The asialo forms were then analyzed by two-dimensional sugar mapping, component sugar analysis and 400-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The major oligosaccharides of human vitronectin were of the diantennary N-acetyllactosamine type, with a lesser amount of the tri- and a small amount of the mono-antennary type, to which 1-3 mol sialic acid residues were linked, mostly through alpha 2-6 linkages, although alpha 2-3 linkages were also present. The possibility that several binding activities of vitronectin can be ascribed to its glycan moiety was discussed, based on the specific features of the N-linked oligosaccharides on human vitronectin revealed here.

The changes in glycosylation after partial hepatectomy enhance collagen binding of vitronectin in plasma

Vitronectin is a multifunctional glycoprotein present in the extracellular matrix and plasma. Changes in rat vitronectin were studied during liver regeneration after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate concentrations of vitronectin decreased to 2/3 of sham-operated rats at 24 h after partial hepatectomy. Carbohydrate composition and lectin reactivity indicated that N-glycosylation and sialylation of vitronectin changed markedly after partial hepatectomy, while amino acid composition did not change significantly. We previously showed that deN-glycosylation of vitronectin in vitro affects collagen binding among various ligands (Yoneda et al., Biochemistry (1998) 37, 6351-6360). Vitronectins from partially hepatectomized rats at 24 h were found to exhibit markedly enhanced binding to type I collagen. The effect of sialylation on collagen binding was further examined using enzymatically deglycosylated vitronectin of nonoperated rats. Collagen binding increased by 1.2 times after deN-glycosylation of vitronectin, while it increased more than 2.9 times after desialylation. Various glycosyltransferases in liver are known to change after partial hepatectomy, including the attenuation of N-oligosaccharide transferase. The findings therefore suggest that the collagen binding of vitronectin is modulated by the alteration of peptide glycosylation caused by postoperative physiological changes of glycosyltransferases and that the change may contribute to tissue remodeling processes.

A high incidence of WT1 abnormality in bilateral Wilms tumours in Japan, and the penetrance rates in children with WT1 germline mutation

Background:

Bilateral Wilms tumours (BWTs) occur by germline mutation of various predisposing genes; one of which is WT1 whose abnormality was reported in 17–38% of BWTs in Caucasians, whereas no such studies have been conducted in East-Asians. Carriers with WT1 mutations are increasing because of improved survival.

Methods:

Statuses of WT1 and IGF2 were examined in 45 BWTs from 31 patients with WT1 sequencing and SNP array-based genomic analyses. The penetrance rates were estimated in WT1-mutant familial Wilms tumours collected from the present and previous studies.

Results:

We detected WT1 abnormalities in 25 (81%) of 31 patients and two families, which were included in the penetrance rate analysis of familial Wilms tumour. Of 35 BWTs from the 25 patients, 31 had small homozygous WT1 mutations and uniparental disomy of IGF2, while 4 had large 11p13 deletions with the retention of 11p heterozygosity. The penetrance rate was 100% if children inherited small WT1 mutations from their fathers, and 67% if inherited the mutations from their mothers, or inherited or had de novo 11p13 deletions irrespective of parental origin (P=0.057).

Conclusions:

The high incidence of WT1 abnormalities in Japanese BWTs sharply contrasts with the lower incidence in Caucasian counterparts, and the penetrance rates should be clarified for genetic counselling of survivors with WT1 mutations.

Structures of the N-linked oligosaccharides on porcine plasma vitronectin

The structures of N-linked oligosaccharides, especially the distribution of sialic acid species, present on porcine plasma vitronectin were elucidated. Oligosaccharides were released from the vitronectin by N-glycosidase F digestion and tagged with 2-aminopyridine, and the pyridylamino-oligosaccharides were fractionated by anion-exchange and reverse-phase HPLC. Nine major pyridyl-amino-oligosaccharides were isolated. The linkages and locations of sialic acids were determined by a novel approach involving desialylation with Salmonella sialidase in combination with acid desialylation. After desialylation, the asialo-forms were analyzed by two-dimensional sugar mapping, component sugar analysis and 400-MHz 1H-NMR spectroscopy. The major oligosaccharides of porcine vitronectin were of the fucosylated biantennary type, with a small amount of the triantennary N-acetyllactosamine type, to which 1-3 mol sialic acids was linked. Sialic acids were linked predominantly through alpha 2-6 linkages, although alpha 2-3 linkages were also present, and fucose was linked to the innermost N-acetylglucosamine through an alpha 1-6 linkage. It was found that every pyridylamino-oligosaccharide population contained N-glycolylneuraminic acid and N-acetylneuraminic acid in a molar ratio of 1:2-9, and that N-glycolylneuraminic acids were located predominantly on the Man alpha 1-6 arm.

Acute symptoms due to a huge duplication cyst ruptured into the esophagus

A 36-year-old housewife complained of a tight feeling in the pharynx with increasing dysphagia, dyspnea, and mild fever. Chest roentgenogram was interpreted as a cystic mass in the middle mediastinum. Computed tomography showed a cystic mass compressing the carina and the esophagus. Ten days after onset, symptoms were suddenly relieved followed by a tarry stool. The chest mass shadow decreased. Esophagofiberscopy showed two fistulas communicating with a cyst that had two chambers. Thoracotomy performed 40 days after onset showed a true duplication of the esophagus with rupture into the esophagus. This is a rare case in which it was possible to observe the sequence of events of a ruptured intramural duplication cyst by means of chest roentgenography, computed tomography, esophagofiberscopy, and cystogram.

Silver and thallium(I) complexation with dibenzo-16-crown-4

Dibenzo-16-crown-4 (1) indicates high silver and thallium(I) ion selectivity over sodium, potassium, and rubidium ion evaluated from the solvent extraction of metal picrates, while its cation-binding ability is lower than those of dibenzo-18-crown-6 (2) and dibenzo-22-crown-6 (3). Taking account of the highest thallium(I) ion selectivity for 1 obtained from extraction experiments, PVC membrane thallium(I)-selective electrodes based on 1 are prepared. The electrode shows the best potentiometric selectivity coefficients for thallium(I) over potassium and rubidium than those of 2 and 3, and commercially available bis(crown ether)s (4).

Selective neurotrophin deficiency in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis

BACKGROUND/PURPOSE

Increasing evidence suggests that the enteric nervous system is under the control of neurotrophins. Nerve growth factor (NGF), brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and neurotrophin-4/5 (NT-4/5), promote differentiation, growth, and survival of various central and peripheral nervous system neurons. The biological effects of neurotrophins are mediated by the interactions with high-affinity tyrosine kinase receptors (TrkA, TrkB, TrkC). Recently, abnormalities of intramuscular innervation have been reported in infantile hypertrophic pyloric stenosis (IHPS). To further understand the reported abnormalities in pyloric innervation in IHPS, the authors analyzed the expression of Trk receptors and the neurotrophins content in IHPS.

METHODS

Full-thickness muscle biopsy specimens were obtained from 8 IHPS patients (age range, 23 to 41 days) at pyloromyotomy and from 8 age-matched controls without gastrointestinal disease at autopsy performed within 12 hours after death. Indirect immunohistochemistry was performed using ABC (Avidin Biotin peroxidase Complex) method with anti-Trk specific antibodies (A,B,C). Quantitative analysis was performed using sandwich-type ELISA for NGF, BDNF, NT-3, and NT-4/5.

RESULTS

The intensity of staining of the myenteric plexus for TrkA, TrkB, and TrkC was similar among IHPS and controls. There was a lack of TrkA-positive nerve fibers in IHPS compared with controls. The quantity of total NGF, NT-3, and BDNF in IHPS was significantly lower than in controls.

CONCLUSIONS

The reduced production of neurotrophins in IHPS may be responsible for the delay in the functional and structural maturation of pyloric innervation in IHPS. The lack of TrkA-positive nerve fibers in pyloric muscle may explain the abnormal intramuscular innervation in IHPS.