Aerobic Composting and Anaerobic Digestion Decrease the Copy Numbers of Antibiotic-Resistant Genes and the Levels of Lactose-Degrading Enterobacteriaceae in Dairy Farms in Hokkaido, Japan

Efficient methods for decreasing the spread of antimicrobial resistance genes (ARGs) and transfer of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria (ARB) from livestock manure to humans are urgently needed. Aerobic composting (AC) or anaerobic digestion (AD) are widely used for manure treatment in Japanese dairy farms. To clarify the effects of AC and AD on antimicrobial resistance, the abundances of antimicrobial (tetracycline and cefazolin)-resistant lactose-degrading Enterobacteriaceae as indicator bacteria, copy numbers of ARGs (tetracycline resistance genes and β-lactamase coding genes), and concentrations of residual antimicrobials in dairy cow manure were determined before and after treatment. The concentration of tetracycline/cefazolin-resistant lactose-degrading Enterobacteriaceae was decreased over 1,000-fold by both AC and AD. ARGs such as tetA, tetB, and bla TEM were frequently detected and their copy numbers were significantly reduced by ∼1,000-fold by AD but not by AC. However, several ARG copies remained even after AD treatment. Although concentrations of the majority of residual antimicrobials were decreased by both AC and AD, oxytetracycline level was not decreased after treatment in most cases. In addition, 16S rRNA gene amplicon-based metagenomic analysis revealed that both treatments changed the bacterial community structure. These results suggest that both AC and AD could suppress the transmission of ARB, and AD could reduce ARG copy numbers in dairy cow manure.

High-Aspect-Ratio Ridge Structures Induced by Plastic Deformation as a Novel Microfabrication Technique

Wrinkles on thin film/elastomer bilayer systems provide functional surfaces. The aspect ratio of these wrinkles is critical to their functionality. Much effort has been dedicated to creating high-aspect-ratio structures on the surface of bilayer systems. A highly prestretched elastomer attached to a thin film has recently been shown to form a high-aspect-ratio structure, called a ridge structure, due to a large strain induced in the elastomer. However, the prestretch requirements of the elastomer during thin film attachment are not compatible with conventional thin film deposition methods, such as spin coating, dip coating, and chemical vapor deposition (CVD). Thus, the fabrication method is complex, and ridge structure formation is limited to planar surfaces. This paper presents a new and simple method for constructing ridge structures on a nonplanar surface using a plastic thin film/elastomer bilayer system. A plastic thin film is attached to a stress-free elastomer, and the resulting bilayer system is highly stretched one- or two-dimensionally. Upon the release of the stretch load, the deformation of the elastomer is reversible, while the plastically deformed thin film stays elongated. The combination of the length mismatch and the large strain induced in the elastomer generates ridge structures. The morphology of the plastic thin film/elastomer bilayer system is experimentally studied by varying the physical parameters, and the functionality and the applicability to a nonplanar surface are demonstrated. Finally, we simulate the effect of plasticity on morphology. This study presents a new technique for generating microscale high-aspect-ratio structures and its potential for functional surfaces.

Inhibitory effects of choline-O-sulfate on amyloid formation of human islet amyloid polypeptide

Choline-O-sulfate (2-(trimethylammonio)ethyl sulfate, COS) is a naturally occurring osmolyte that is synthesized by plants, lichens, algae, fungi, and several bacterial species. We examined the inhibitory effects of COS on amyloid formation of the human islet amyloid polypeptide (hIAPP or amylin) using a thioflavin T (ThT) fluorescence assay, circular dichroism spectroscopy and transmission electron microscopy. The results showed that COS suppresses a conformational change of hIAPP from a random coil to a β-sheet structure, resulting in the inhibition of amyloid formation. Comparisons with various structural analogs including carnitine, acetylcholine and non-detergent sulfobetaines (NDSBs) using the ThT fluorescence assay showed that COS is the most effective inhibitor of hIAPP amyloid formation, suggesting that the sulfate group, which is unique to COS, significantly contributes to the inhibition.

Shape Memory Behavior of Ti-Ni Thin Films Annealed at Various Temperatures

Ti-Ni thin films with three different types of compositions, titanium-rich Ti-Ni, near equiatomic TiNi and nickel-rich Ti-Ni were prepared by sputtering. The sputter-deposited films were annealed at various temperatures between 773 and 973K in order to crystallize. After the heat treatment, the shape memory behavior was examined with a thermomechanical tester. The shape memory behavior of the near equiatomic composition films was not affected by the heat treatment. On the other hand, the shape memory behavior of the other composition films strongly depended on the annealing temperature. As the annealing temperature increases, the martensitic and reverse martensitic transformation temperatures of the nickel-rich films decreased and those of the titanium-rich films increased. These opposite behaviors of the transformation temperatures can be explained by the opposite dependence of the precipitation of the second phase on the annealing temperature. All the nickel-rich films exhibited good shape memory effect over a wide range of stress, while all the titanium-rich films exhibited a small plastic strain only in the stress range where the shape changes associated with both the R-phase and the martensitic transformations were observed.

[Results of two-step tuberculin skin test against medical and nursing school students and treatment according to the results of the test]

To assess the risk of tuberculosis infection in medical and nursing school students, tuberculin skin tests were carried out in the two-step manner. The second tuberculin skin test was repeated two weeks later excluding those who were strongly positive in the first test. BCG vaccination was done with the consent of students who showed negative reaction twice. Medical interview and revaluation of prior routine chest radiogram were made on students who were strongly positive. Prophylactic INH medication was considered to those who are at high risk of tuberculosis. Eight hundred thirty eight students underwent the two-step tuberculin skin test, and among them, 771 students showed the positive reaction on the first test (92.0%) which included 58 weakly positive (6.9%), 347 intermediately positive (41.4%) and 366 strongly positive (43.7%) and 2 not-measurable (0.2%), and 65 students were negative (7.8%). The average size of the erythema was 30.9 +/- 18.8 mm on the first test and 37.9 +/- 20.6 mm on the second test. Twenty one students were negative on the second tuberculin skin test, and among them, 15 received BCG vaccination. Out of eight students who were vaccinated with BCG in 1999 and were followed up in the next year, 6 (75.0%) converted to positive. Strongly positive reaction was seen in 28 students (3.3%) and one of them underwent prophylactic medication of INH according to her family history of exposure to tuberculosis.

Clinical trial of acetazolamide in SCA6, with assessment using the Ataxia Rating Scale and body stabilometry

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the effect of acetazolamide on spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6).

METHODS

Acetazolamide (250-500 mg/day) was administered orally for 88 weeks to 6 patients with SCA6, and its effect was quantitatively monitored using the Ataxia Rating Scale (ARS) and body sway analysis by stabilometry.

RESULTS

During administration of acetazolamide, the ARS score and the amplitude of body sway were significantly reduced compared with before administration. However, the response became weaker after 1 year of treatment.

CONCLUSION

Although this was an open trial, the results suggested that acetazolamide can temporarily reduce the severity of symptoms during the progression of SCA6.

Elevated parasympathetic nerve tone in isoproterenol-induced neurally mediated syncope during head-up tilt testing

To clarify the autonomic nerve mechanisms whereby isoproterenol induces vasovagal reaction, 32 patients with recurrent syncopal episodes of unknown origin underwent head-up tilt testing. Syncope was induced in 11 patients by a control tilt (control/+ group). The remaining 21 patients (control/- group) underwent the procedure during isoproterenol infusion. Syncope was induced in 13 (isoproterenol/+ group), but not in the remaining 8 patients (isoproterenol/- group). High-frequency component (HF) and low-frequency component (LF)/HF, which are indices of heart rate variability, were assessed for 2-min intervals at baseline (T1) during the initial phase (T2) and at the end (T3) of tilting in each test. The ratios of HF and LF/HF at T2/T1 and T3/T2 were calculated. The HF value at T3 in the control/+ group was greater than that in the control/- group (1.47+/-0.91 vs 0.75+/-0.34; p<0.05). The HF value at T3 in the isoproterenol/+ group was significantly greater than those in the isoproterenol/- group (1.19+/-1.04 vs 0.43+/-0.23; p<0.05). The HF value at T2 in the isoproterenol/+ tended to be greater than in the isoproterenol/- group (1.30+/-0.85 vs 0.66+/-0.53; p=0.07). The ratio of HF for T2/T1 in isoproterenol/+ was greater than in the other groups (2.04+/-1.26 in isoproterenol/+ vs 0.58+/-0.39 in control/-, 0.47+/-0.18 in control/+ and 0.71+/-0.45 in isoproterenol/-; p=0.0001), whereas that of HF for T3/T2 in the control/+ group was greater than in the other groups (1.48+/-0.62 in control/+ vs 0.97+/-0.33 in control/-; p<0.05, 0.79+/-0.35 in isoproterenol/- and 0.88+/-0.37 in isoproterenol/+; p<0.01). No difference was observed in either LF/HF or the ratio of LF/HF among the groups. The early and persistent increase in parasympathetic nerve tone provoked by isoproterenol plays an important role in enhancing the vasovagal reaction during head-up tilt testing.

Expression of adhesion molecules by human endothelial cells exposed to oxidized low density lipoprotein. Influences of degree of oxidation and location of oxidized LDL

The main objective of this study was to determine the influence of the degree of low density lipoprotein (LDL) oxidation and the location of oxidized LDL (oxLDL) on expression of adhesion molecules on endothelial cells (EC). OxLDL preparations 1-4 with different degrees of oxidative modification were studied. All preparations of oxLDL, after addition to the medium, stimulated the expression of intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) by human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) as determined by cell-ELISA. Concentration-dependent studies examining ICAM-1 expression by HUVEC showed that the minimal concentration of oxLDL which significantly stimulated ICAM-1 expression was 5 microg/ml, suggesting that the predicted physiological concentration of oxLDL in plasma may be not high enough to elicit a substantial increase of ICAM-1 expression in EC. In contrast, very small amounts (0.15 microg/well) of oxLDL-3 and 4, the more heavily oxidized LDL preparations, stimulated effectively ICAM-1 expression by HUVEC when located below the endothelial cell monolayer by immobilizing to type I collagen. The results suggest that the increased expression of ICAM-1 induced by accumulated oxLDL may be one of the mechanisms by which oxLDL contributes to atherogenesis.

Correlation of magnetic resonance imaging and histological findings in a large basilar tip aneurysm after coil embolization--case report

A 73-year-old female with a large basilar tip aneurysm underwent endovascular coil embolization with interlocking detachable coils (IDCs). The patient subsequently died of pneumonia 25 days after the embolization, and the aneurysm specimen was obtained at autopsy. Histological examination showed that the intraaneurysmal structure consisted of three layers. The outer layer was mildly organized thrombus surrounding the coils, the middle layer was disorganized clot, and the inner layer consisted of fresh blood clot. Gradient-echo magnetic resonance (MR) imaging taken before death had demonstrated a central region of high intensity and a peripheral low intensity region corresponding to the inner and middle-outer layers of the aneurysm, respectively. Intraaneurysmal placement of IDCs leads to the formation of a clot surrounding the coils. However, clot formation may be inadequate where the packing of the IDCs is incomplete. Comparison of the MR imaging and histological findings in this case show that gradient-echo MR imaging can assess thrombus and residual blood flow within the aneurysm.

A Case Report of Neovascular Glaucoma Due to Carotid Artery Occlusive Disease. Diagnosis of Neovascular Glaucoma and Histological Characteristics

Purpose: The methods of diagnosing neovascular glaucoma were evaluated in a case with carotid artery occlusive disease. A trabeculectomy specimen taken from this patient was examined histologically to find the characteristic picture of this slowly progressive neovascular glaucoma.Materials and Methods: The left eye of a 48-year old man with neovascular glaucoma due to carotid artery occlusive disease had been previously diagnosed as uveitis with ocular hypertension. His left eye was examined by fluorescein fundus and gonioangiography. Trabeculectomy was performed because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure and the trabeculectomy specimen was examined histologically including immunohistochemistry with antibodies against von Willebrand factor antigen.Results: The characteristic picture of fluorescein fundus angiography was filling delay in the choroid and stained walls of the retinal arteries and veins. Fluorescein gonioangiography using a fundus camera clearly demonstrated new vessels in the pupil and angle with intense fluorescein leak in spite of faint neovascularization in those areas when observed by slit lamp with gonioscopy. Histological examination of the trabeculectomy specimen revealed proliferation of new vessels in the spaces of the trabecular meshwork and focal occlusion of Schlemm's canal.Conclusion: Fluorescein fundus angiography and gonioangiography by fundus camera is very useful for diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma due to carotid artery occlusive disease. Neovascular proliferation in the trabecular meshwork with slight of peripheral anterior synechia and focal occlusion of Schlemm's canal may be peculiar to such slowly progressive neovascular glaucoma.

[Effective melatonin therapy in a case of Machado-Joseph disease with insomnia]

The effects of melatonin (MLT) therapy on insomnia and serum MLT concentration were studied in a 44-year-old man with Machado-Joseph disease. He suffered from insomia since age 41, and could not sleep well, despite that he was given many kinds of hypnotics. He showed neither noctural central apnea, inspirative stridor, restless leg syndrome, REM without atonia, nor noctural polyuria, all of which are known to cause insomnia in spinocerebellar degeneration. The peak serum level of MLT was low, 9.2 pg/ml. He was administered 9 mg of MLT p.o. at 8 p.m., and it's peak noctural level elevated to 7,000 pg/ml, and this alleviated his intractable insomnia. Our experience indicate that the MLT could be effective for insomnia in MJD which relates to low MLT concentration.

[A case report of neovascular glaucoma due to carotid artery occlusive disease--diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma and histological characteristics]

PURPOSE

The methods of diagnosing neovascular glaucoma were evaluated in a case with carotid artery occlusive disease. A trabeculectomy specimen taken from this patient was examined histologically to find the characteristic picture of this slowly progressive neovascular glaucoma.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The left eye of a 48-year old man with neovascular glaucoma due to carotid artery occlusive disease had been previously diagnosed as uveitis with ocular hypertension. His left eye was examined by fluorescein fundus and gonioangiography. Trabeculectomy was performed because of uncontrolled intraocular pressure and the trabeculectomy specimen was examined histologically including immunohistochemistry with antibodies against von Willebrand factor antigen.

RESULTS

The characteristic picture of fluorescein fundus angiography was filling delay in the choroid and stained walls of the retinal arteries and veins. Fluorescein gonioangiography using a fundus camera clearly demonstrated new vessels in the pupil and angle with intense fluorescein leak in spite of faint neovascularization in those areas when observed by slit lamp with gonioscopy. Histological examination of the trabeculectomy specimen revealed proliferation of new vessels in the spaces of the trabecular meshwork and focal occlusion of Schlemm's canal.

CONCLUSION

Fluorescein fundus angiography and gonioangiography by fundus camera is very useful for diagnosis of neovascular glaucoma due to carotid artery occlusive disease. Neovascular proliferation in the trabecular meshwork with slight of peripheral anterior synechia and focal occlusion of Schlemm's canal may be peculiar to such slowly progressive neovascular glaucoma.

Fluorescence automatic cell sorter and immunohistochemical investigation of CD68-positive cells in meningioma

Infiltration of brain neoplasms by mononuclear cells including monocytes/macrophages has attracted little attention since they have marked morphological heterogeneity. Twenty-seven meningiomas were studied by anti-CD68 antibody-gated flow cytometry and by immunohistochemical analysis using the anti-CD68 antibodies. Flow cytometric analysis divided cells contained within tumor tissues into CD68-positive and -negative cells. In addition, eight gliomas, eight metastatic brain tumor, and 12 pituitary adenomas were investigated in the same way to compare meningiomas. The mean contents of CD68-positive cells were 24.0 +/- 3.7% in meningiomas, 4.4 +/- 1.4% in gliomas, 9.5 +/- 3.9% in metastatic brain tumors, and 4.5 +/- 1.8% in pituitary adenomas. Immunohistochemically, CD68-positive cells showed significant heterogeneity and were detected as round, rod-shaped, ameboid and ramified cells in meningiomas. Although the infiltrated mononuclear cells in gliomas have been investigated to some degree and showed that they express cytokines and/or growth factors, these infiltrated cells in meningioma have barely been studied. The CD68-positive cells detected in this study are likely to be monocytes, macrophages and microglias, and are presumed to be in various functional stages and to play important roles in growth regulation in meningioma.

Determinant of microvolt-level T-wave alternans in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to clarify the clinical significance and the determinant of microvolt-level T-wave alternans (TWA) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).

BACKGROUND

The prevention of sudden death in patients with DCM remains the therapeutic target. T-wave alternans has been proposed as a powerful tool for identification of patients at high risk for ventricular arrhythmias and sudden death in coronary artery disease.

METHODS

In 58 DCM patients, TWA was measured during bicycle exercise testing using a CH 2000 system (Cambridge Heart, Bedford, Massachusetts). The New York Heart Association class, signal-averaged electrocardiogram, QT dispersion, left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVDd) and percent fractional shortening detected by echocardiogram and the grade of the ventricular arrhythmia were obtained in all patients.

RESULTS

T-wave alternans was positive in 23 patients (TWA+ group), negative in 25 (TWA- group) and indeterminate in 10. Univariate analysis showed that the percentage of patients with ventricular tachycardia (VT) and the LVDd in the TWA+ group was significantly higher than those in the TWA- group (61% vs. 8%, p < 0.001 and 65 +/- 11 mm vs. 58 +/- 8 mm, p < 0.05, respectively). The sensitivity, specificity and predictive accuracy of TWA for VT were 88%, 72% and 77%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the presence of VT was a major independent determinant of TWA in patients with DCM (p = 0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

T-wave alternans was closely related to VT in patients with DCM. T-wave alternans is a useful noninvasive test for identifying high risk patients with DCM who have VT.

[A clinical trial of acetazolamide for SCA6]

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA 6) is an allelic disorder of episodic ataxia type 2 (EA 2) and is caused by a small CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the alpha 1A-voltage-dependent-Ca channel subunit (CACNA 1 A) on chromosome 19p13.1. The disorder starts at adulthood with progressive cerebellar ataxia, and the symptoms often fluctuate at early stage. These clinical features overlap with those of EA 2, which has been known as acetazolamide-responsive ataxia. On this background, we studied the clinical effectiveness of acetazolamide for SCA 6 in 9 consecutive patients. Their clinical severity was serially evaluated by ARS (ataxia rating scale) and gravimetric test, over 32 weeks of oral administration of acetazolamide (250-500 mg/day). Consequently, a significant improvement was observed in ARS and postural sway. Our results indicate that acetazolamide is temporally effective for ameliorating the symptoms of SCA 6. However, its effects for the disease progression need to be examined in more large scales in number and duration.

Oxidized LDL-containing immune complexes induce Fc gamma receptor I-mediated mitogen-activated protein kinase activation in THP-1 macrophages

Our previous studies have shown that Fc gamma receptor (FcgammaR)-mediated uptake of LDL-containing immune complexes (oxLDL-ICs) by human monocyte-derived macrophages leads to not only transformation of macrophages into foam cells but also macrophage activation and release of cytokines. It has been shown that cross-linking of FcgammaR triggers activation of signal transduction pathways that alter gene expression in macrophages. In this study, we determined whether engagement of FcgammaR by oxLDL-ICs leads to activation of mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase pathway, a signaling cascade serving many important functions, including the regulation of gene expression, in THP-1 macrophage-like cells. Our results from immunoblotting, using specific anti-phosphorylated MAP kinase antibodies, showed that oxLDL-ICs induced extracellular signal regulated kinase 2 (ERK2) MAP kinase phosphorylation in THP-1 macrophage-like cells in time- and dose-dependent manners. Cholesterol loading before stimulation led to a longer phosphorylation of ERK2. Nuclear translocation of phosphorylated ERK was markedly increased after the stimulation. Moreover, our data showed that oxLDL-IC induction of MAP kinase was prevented by human monomeric IgG1, suggesting that the specific engagement of type I FcgammaR by oxLDL-IC is responsible for the MAP kinase activation. Finally, we showed that human anti-oxLDL autoantibody-containing immune complexes immobilized on type I collagen induced MAP kinase activation in THP-1 cells. These results strongly suggest that oxLDL-IC, which has been detected in atherosclerotic plaques, may play an important role in macrophage activation and atherogenesis.

Monkey hepatocytes efficiently express tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), in contrast with human and rat hepatocytes

It has been reported that tissue factor pathway inhibitor (TFPI), a Kunitz-type protease inhibitor that regulates the extrinsic blood coagulation pathway, is not expressed in human, bovine, rabbit, or rat liver. Here, we found that TFPI is efficiently expressed in Macaque monkey liver. Monkey hepatocytes were identified as the expression cells by Northern blot analysis. The hepatocytes were stained with anti-human TFPI antibody, as were endothelial cells of the small vessels. We isolated and sequenced the 5'-flanking 1.4 kb regions of monkey and human TFPI genes, and found them to show 92.6% identity in their nucleotide sequences. We measured their transcriptional activities using a luciferase reporter gene and showed that the activity of the monkey TFPI gene is higher than that of the human gene in monkey primary hepatocytes. Although the binding motif of hepatocyte nuclear factor-1 is present only in the monkey gene, the site does not seem to be involved in the transcriptional activity. Mutagenetic analyses revealed that the region from -138 to +28 in the monkey gene is important for the expression of TFPI in hepatocytes. The present study indicates that the expression of the monkey TFPI gene is regulated by different mechanisms from the human TFPI gene.

The relation between the pacing sites in the right ventricular outflow tract and QRS morphology in the 12-lead ECG

Optimal pace mapping is a good predictor of the appropriate ablation site for idiopathic right ventricular tachycardia (VT) originating from the right ventricular outflow tract (RVOT). We studied the relationship between the RVOT pacing site and QRS morphology in the 12-lead ECG during pacing to find the optimal site more quickly. In 13 patients with idiopathic VT, pacing at 8 sites in the RVOT (free wall, septum, and anterior and posterior regions of upper and lower sites) was performed while 12-lead ECGs were recorded. The R-wave amplitude minus the S-wave amplitude in lead I (RI-SI) and aVF (RavF-SavF) and the transitional zone index (TZI) were compared in the different pacing sites; TZI was defined to examine the transitional zone as a value. The RI-SI was smaller in the anterior region than in the other regions, and the negative RI-SI predicted that the pacing site was in the upper or lower anterior regions. The RavF-SavF was larger in the septum and anterior regions than in the free wall and posterior regions. The TZI was larger in the free wall region than in the septum. From the results, we constructed a flow chart that differentiates the origin of the arrhythmia in the RVOT and a directional guide that indicates the direction from the current mapping site for optimal pace mapping. The results provided an ECG guide for locating the focus of VT originating from the RVOT. These findings may systematically improve the mapping procedure.

[Initial symptoms and mode of neurological progression in spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6)]

Spinocerebellar ataxia type 6 (SCA6) is genetically defined as a group of SCA characterized by late-onset pure cerebellar ataxia clinically and by a small CAG repeat expansion in the gene encoding the alpha 1A-voltage-dependent-Ca channel subunit (CACNL1A4) on chromosome 19p13.1 genetically. We analyzed the initial symptoms and the mode of progression in this disorder on 25 genetically verified patients. The initial symptoms were recurrent episodes of transient vertigo (72%) or unsteady gait (28%). Neurologically, they showed apparent gaze-evoked nystagmus (92%), transient positional nystagmus (83%), and periodic alternating nystagmus (4%), in addition to cerebellar ataxia. In addition to these episodic symptoms, all patients developed progressive cerebellar ataxia over years. These fluctuating symptoms at the initial stage of the illness were clearly different from those of other SCA, rather overlapping with those of episodic ataxia type 2 (EA2), an allelic disorder of SCA6. The clinical similarity indicates that there might be a common mechanism at least in part causing these two disorders. The mode of progression and their neurological features were also presented.

The uptake of LDL-IC by human macrophages: predominant involvement of the Fc gamma RI receptor

The incubation of human macrophages with antigen antibody complexes prepared with rabbit anti-LDL and human LDL (LDL-IC) is followed by ingestion of those immune complexes (IC), massive cholesterol ester accumulation, cytokine release and overexpression of the LDL receptor. The massive accumulation of cholesterol esters and overexpression of the native LDL receptor are specifically induced by immune complexes containing native or modified LDL, but not by any other type of IC. We report the results of a series of experiments aimed at defining the receptor preferentially involved in LDL-IC uptake. Flow cytometry studies using CD16, CD32 and CD64 monoclonal antibodies showed a sharp reduction on the expression of CD64 (Fc gamma RI) both by human monocyte-derived macrophages and THP-1 cells after incubation with LDL-IC, suggesting preferential engagement of this type of Fc receptor. Blocking experiments with aggregate-free IgG1 and CD32 monoclonal antibody confirmed that blocking Fc gamma RI prevented both LDL-IC uptake and the upregulation of LDL receptors on THP-1 cells. In contrast, blocking Fc gamma RII did not affect either the uptake of LDL-IC or the expression of LDL receptors on the same cells. The preferential engagement of Fc gamma R-I by LDL-IC suggests a biological difference of LDL-IC relative to other types of IC and opsonized particles. The precise molecular mechanism(s) responsible for the paradoxical upregulation of LDL receptor after the uptake of LDL-IC remain to be elucidated.

Meningoencephalocele associated with Tripterygium wilfordii treatment

We treated a male infant with occipital meningoencephalocele associated with the taking of Tripterygium wilfordii. The infant was delivered normally at 38 weeks of gestation with a huge cystic mass protruding from the occiput. He was diagnosed with occipital meningoencephalocele and cerebellar agenesis. His mother had taken T. wilfordii for rheumatoid arthritis early in her pregnancy. T. wilfordii is a herbal medicine used for rheumatoid arthritis and male contraception. Since its toxicity is high and its use during pregnancy is restricted, it is the most likely cause of this infant's anomalies.

[Progressive supranuclear palsy with macular degeneration--report of three cases]

Three cases of progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) with decreased visual acuity were reported. Case 1 was a 50-year-old man, case 2 a 60-year old woman, and case 3 a 66-year-old woman. They all had vertical gaze palsy and unexplained falls, and were diagnosed as PSP by NINDS-SPSP clinical criteria. All cases had symptoms of difficulty in vision; therefore, detailed ophthalmological tests were performed. Ophthalmoscopic findings of macula revealed atrophy in case 1 and 2, and brownish discoloration in case 3. Fluorescein fundus angiography done in case 1 showed abnormal staining at the macula. Multifocal electroretinography performed in case 3 showed absence of big response in the macula. These results indicated macular degeneration. None of three cases had cataract. And visual evoked potentials of case 2 and 3 showed prolonged P100 latency. From these results, we suspected that decreased visual acuity of our cases were due to macular degeneration and difficulty to catch the object at the fovea because of gaze palsy. There had been no reports of macular degeneration with PSP, but we might have overlooked these findings, because of dementia, gaze palsy, and apraxia of lid opening. The possibility of macular degeneration is raised as a part of neurological signs is PSP.

Difference in serum-induced prostacyclin production by cultured aortic and capillary endothelial cells

Prostacyclin (PGl2) generated by vascular endothelial cells play an important role in the maintenance of vessel wall homeostasis. Human plasma-derived serum (PDS) stimulated PGl2 synthesis by both cultured bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAEC) and adrenal capillary endothelial cells (BCEC), but the PGl2 response of the latter cells was far smaller. When BAEC were cultured with a high concentration of glucose (400 mg/dl), the PGl2 synthesis induced by 20% PDS was significantly lower than in the culture with a physiological concentration of glucose (100 mg/dl) (258 +/- 45 pg/10(4) cells/h vs. 402 +/- 52 pg/10(4) cells/h, n = 4, P < 0.05). On the other hand, there was no significant difference in the PDS-induced PGl2 synthesis between BCEC cultured with high and physiological concentrations of glucose. Additionally, 10% PDS obtained from patients with non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (n = 6) stimulated significantly less PGl2 synthesis than that from healthy subjects (n = 4) in the case of both BAEC (133 +/- 27 pg/10(4) cells/h vs. 402 +/- 38 pg/10(4) cells/h, P < 0.05) and BCEC (72 +/- 15 pg/10(4) cells/h vs. 118 +/- 12 pg/10(4) cells/h, P < 0.05), with the difference in PGl2 synthesis being smaller for BCEC. These findings indicate that the PDS-induced PGl2 synthesis differs between cultured vascular endothelial cells from large and small vessels with the decrease in PGl2 by diabetic PDS and high glucose being more marked for BAEC than BCEC.

Extracellular polysaccharides produced by tuberose callus

A high yield of extracellular polysaccharide (ECP) was obtained from callus cultures of tuberose (Polianthes tuberosa), which could be separated into an unadsorbed and two acidic fractions (TPS-1, -2) by ion-exchange column chromatography. The yields of each fraction were markedly increased by the addition of 10(-5) M 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid to the medium. Of the three fractions, the amount of TPS-1 accounted for over 60% of total yield of ECP, which was a predominant polysaccharide consisting of arabinose (Ara), mannose (Man) and galactose (Gal) as major neutral monosaccharides. Judging from the patterns of electrophoresis and ultra-centrifugation, TPS-1 was identified to be homogeneous. Methylation and GC-mass spectrometry analyses of this fraction revealed the presence of 1,2,3-linked Man, 1-linked Ara, 1,3-linked Ara, 1-linked Gal and 1,3,4-linked glucuronosyl (GlcUA) residues in a molar ratio of 1.0:1.08:0.85:0.75:1.08. Based on additional analyses of the mild acid hydrolysate and the absolute configuration of the constituent monosaccharides, a possible structure for TPS-1 was a glucuronomannan possessing the unit of -->4)-beta-D-GlcUAp-(1-->2)-alpha-D-Manp-(1--> with branching at the C-3 position, where -->1)-alpha-L-Araf, -->1)-beta-D-galp, -->1)-alpha-L-Araf-(3-->1)-alpha-L-Araf or -->1)-alpha-L-Araf-(3-->1)-beta-D-Galp were attached randomly. About 35% of the GlcUA moieties were present as methyl esters. Further confirmation was made by 1H and 13C NMR spectroscopy.

[Cerebellopontine angle epithelial cyst presenting as hemifacial spasm]

A rare case of cerebellopontine angle epithelial cyst presenting as hemifacial spasm is reported. The patient was a 35-year-old man with right hemifacial spasm of 2 months duration. A preoperative CT scan showed a well-demarcated low density area in the right cerebellopontine angle. The cyst was totally excised under an operating microscope. The postoperative course was uneventful, and the right hemifacial spasm resolved immediately. Histologically, the cyst wall was composed of a stratified epithelial lining composed of non-ciliated cuboidal or squamous cells. Ultrastructurally, the epithelial layer consisted of two types of cells: non-ciliated cells with microvilli coated with electron-dense material, and basally located cells with tonofilaments and well-developed desmosomes. The latter type of cells appear identical to the basal cells characteristically seen in the upper respiratory tract and the gastrointestinal tract. This findings suggest that the cyst was of endodermal origin rather than neuroectodermal origin.

[Anterior choroidal artery territory infarction with transcortical sensory aphasia after a neck clipping of left internal carotid artery aneurysms: a case report]

Anterior choroidal artery (Ach A) syndrome is widely known to be composed of a triad of hemiparesis, hemisensory loss and homonymous hemianopia. The authors report a case of Ach A-territory infarction after a direct operation for internal carotid artery aneurysms, which presented transcortical sensory aphasia in association with the characteristic triad. The literature and several previously reported cases with dominant and nondominant cerebral hemisphere signs in AcH A infarction are reviewed. The danger of Ach A occlusion and the importance of preserving it during aneurysm surgery are emphasized.

Immunohistochemical localization of a novel peptide, prostacyclin-stimulating factor (PSF), in human tissues

In a recent study, we purified and cloned a newly identified bioactive factor that stimulates prostacyclin (PGI2) production by vascular endothelial cells (ECs) using conditioned medium (CM) from cultured human diploid fibroblast cells. The present study was undertaken to clarify whether PSF is expressed in ECs and vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCS) of human tissues at a protein level. In an immunohistochemical study of seven human autopsy cases, all arteries in all lungs (n = 4) and kidneys (n = 6) examined stained positive to variable extents for PGI2-stimulating factor (PSF). PSF was predominantly expressed by SMCs in the media of small arteries. Staining for PSF was weaker in SMCs of aortic media (n = 3) and strong in SMCs of vaso vasorum (n = 3). PSF staining was also found in the SMCs of human bronchi (n = 4). Immunoblot analysis confirmed that PSF is present in CM from cultured bovine aortic SMCS.

Effects of fibrin on the angiogenesis in vitro of bovine endothelial cells in collagen gel

The effect of fibrin on angiogenesis in vitro was investigated using an experimental model of tube formation by bovine capillary endothelial cells (BCEs) in type I collagen gel. One milligram per milliliter of fibrin added into type I collagen gel significantly increased the length of the tubular structures formed by BCEs in the gel by about 180% compared with type I collagen only. The facilitating effect of fibrin on tube formation by BCEs was inhibited by either anti-basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) IgG (25 micrograms/ml) or anti-urokinase type plasminogen activator (uPA) IgG (10 micrograms/ml) added to the gel and culture medium, but not by anti-tissue type plasminogen activator (uPA) IgG (10 micrograms/ml) added to the gel and culture medium, but not by anti-tissue type plasminogen activator (10 micrograms/ml) or non-immune IgG. The Arg-Gly-Asp (RGD) containing peptides (100 micrograms/ml) added to the culture medium also suppressed tube formation by BCEs in fibrin-containing type I collagen gel, but not in type I collagen gel. These results suggest that the increased release of bFGF and uPA by BCEs therefore plays a role in the angiogenic effect of fibrin in vitro, and the angiogenic effect of fibrin is mediated by the RGD sequence in fibrin, probably via the function of integrin receptor of the BCEs.

Structure of cis-polyisoprene from Lactarius mushrooms

Sporophores from five species of Lactarius mushrooms had a liquid rubber content of 0.1% to 7% based on the dry weight. Rubber from L. volemus, L. chrysorrheus and L. hygrophoroides was found to be a homologue of polyprenol being composed of dimethylallyl group, two trans isoprene units, 160-300 cis isoprene units, and terminal hydroxyl or ester group aligned in that order by 13C-NMR analysis. The ratio of fatty acid ester group to hydroxyl group was about 9/1 to 5/5. The number of both terminal groups and trans units decreased during aging of sporophores. Rubber from L. piperatus, L. vellereus and L. subpiperatus was found to be cis polyisoprene having very small quantities of both terminal groups and trans units. The biosynthesis of cis polyisoprene in Lactarius mushrooms was found to start from trans, trans-farnesyl pyrophosphate. The termination was assumed to occur by esterification of polyisoprenyl pyrophosphate. Occurrence of some chemical modifications on both terminal groups was presumed during aging of sporophores.

[Reproductive and developmental toxicity studies of FUT-187. (V)--Perinatal and postnatal study in rats with oral administration of FUT-187]

FUT-187 was given orally at 20, 120 and 720 mg/kg to female rats during the perinatal and postnatal periods and the effect on dams and offspring were evaluated. One dam during the terminal period of gestation and 3 dams after delivery in the 720 mg/kg group died due to FUT-187. In dams, an increased pancreas weight in the 20 mg/kg or more groups, temporary salivation after dosing in the 120 mg/kg or more groups, and a depression of body weight gain and decreased food intake and weight of the carcass in the 720 mg/kg group were statistically significant in comparison with controls. In offspring, postnatal death rate in the 720 mg/kg group tended to increased. Decreased body weight gain and delayed appearance of abdominal hair and descent of testis in the 720 mg/kg group were statistically significant in comparison with controls. There were no treatment-related abnormalities in visceral examination, organ weight, skeletal examination, sensory function, behavioral function, learning ability or reproductive function. Based on these results, it is concluded that the no-effect-dose levels of FUT-187 are less than 20 mg/kg for dams, and 120 mg/kg for reproductive performance of dams and offspring development.

[Subjective sleep disturbances and psychosocial states in long-term abstainers]

To evaluate the relation between subjective sleep disturbances and psychosocial factors in alcoholics, we studied the subjective estimate of sleep, occupation, marital status, and economic status in 210 abstainers, using check lists which were given to each patients (169 answerers, 82. 9% recovery). We also performed psychological tests of Yatabe-Guilford Personality Inventory in 145 subjects, Maudsley Personality Inventory in 115, and Cornell Medical Index in 103. The results were as follows: 1. Sleep disturbances were seen in 100 abstainers (59.2%). 2. The abstainers who had abstained for less than 2 years showed higher incidence of sleep disturbances than those who had abstained for 2 years or more (70.7% and 37.5%, respectively). 3. The abstainers with sleep disturbances were more frequently unemployed, more frequently divorced, and had lower economic status than those without sleep disturbances (69.0% vs. 36.3%, 31.0% vs. 17.4%, and 49.0% vs. 23.2%, respectively). 4. Three psychological tests suggested that abstainers with sleep disturbances had more immature and neurotic personalities. The present study suggests that the occurrence of sleep disturbances in abstainers may be relevant to their psychosocial states.