Effects of Stocking Density on Stress, Hematological Responses, and Growth of Black Rockfish Sebastes schlegelii

The objective of the current study was to evaluate the effect of stocking density on juvenile Black Rockfish Sebastes schlegelii (average weight = 12 g) in terms of stress, hematological responses, and growth performance during a 4-month growth trial in a flow-through system. The initial stocking densities were 1.3 kg/m³ (low), 1.8 kg/m³ (medium), and 2.3 kg/m³ (high), and the final densities were 4.9 kg/m³ (low), 5.6 kg/m³ (medium), and 6.3 kg/m³ (high). At the end of the trial, the high stocking density significantly affected growth characteristics, levels of growth hormone and insulin-like growth factor 1, and hematological indices (hematocrit, red blood cell count, and hemoglobin level) compared to the medium and low stocking densities. The plasma cortisol and immunoglobulin-M levels were significantly higher at the high density than at the other two densities. Taken together, while the low and medium stocking densities (final densities of up to 5.6 kg/m³ ) did not affect stress and hematological indices or growth, the high stocking density (final density of 6.3 kg/m³ ) significantly impacted those variables, which suggests an allostatic load at that density. Thus, the use of a final stocking density less than 6.3 kg/m³ should be considered to avoid compromising the stress and health condition and growth of Black Rockfish at this size and temperature range.

Mature and Bi-Sexual Phase Gonad Occurrence in Cultured Red Spotted Grouper, Epinephelus akaara

This study reports the presence of mature and bi-sexual phase gonads in red spotted grouper, Epinephelus akaara after less than a year of cultivation in a commercial indoor tank and a net cage. In December 2018, juveniles were placed in an indoor tank and cultured for five months. In June 2019, the fish were transferred to a net cage and cultured until September. The rearing temperatures ranged from 19.86°C–24.65°C in the indoor tank and 21.86°C–27.65°C in the net cage. During the net cage culture period, specimens were randomly selected for histological gonad examination. The highest gonadosomatic index (GSI) value was measured in July (3.38±2.53), and dramatically decreased in August (0.44±0.21) and September (0.42±0.30). In July, some mature fish showed signs of vitellogenic stage oocyte development (vitellogenic and oil droplet stage oocytes), but immature fish were in an early developmental stage containing peri-nucleolus stage (PNS) oocytes. Bi-sexual phase gonads containing spermatocytes and spermatids were observed in the lumen and several PNS oocytes. By August and September, most specimens showed early-stage ovary development. However, mature testis (in August) and bi-sexual phase gonads (in September) were also observed. These results provide evidence for early puberty and hermaphroditism in the red spotted grouper.

Sub-optimal or reduction in temperature and salinity decrease antioxidant activity and cellularity in the hemolymph of the Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai)

This study investigated the oxidative stress and hemocyte responses of Pacific abalone exposed to various water temperatures (4, 6, 8, and 10 °C) and salinities (26, 30, and 34 psu) for 7 days, to identify their tolerance ranges of temperature and salinity. The survival rate of Pacific abalone ranged from 98.7 to 100% at 8 °C and 10 °C, but dropped to 25-55% at 4 °C at all levels of salinity. The levels of superoxide dismutase and glutathione in the hemolymph were significantly higher at 4 °C and 6 °C than in the controls in all salinity groups, indicating that these temperatures induced greater stress in the Pacific abalone. Total hemocyte count was lowest at 6 °C in the 26 psu group. The percentages of apoptotic and necrotic cells were higher in the 26 psu group than in the other salinity groups, and higher in the 4 °C and 6 °C groups than in the other temperature groups. These results indicate that the lowest tolerance to water temperature and salinity in the Pacific abalone was 8 °C and 30 psu, respectively.

Constant exposure to environmental concentrations of the antifouling biocide Sea-Nine retards growth and reduces acetylcholinesterase activity in a marine mysid

Sea-Nine (4,5-dichloro-2-n-octyl-4-isothiazoline3-one; DCOIT) antifoulant has been widely used owing to its broad spectrum of biocide activity against major fouling organisms. In this study, several physiological parameters of a marine mysid were analyzed upon exposure to sublethal environmental concentrations (1 and 100 ng L^-1) of Sea-Nine in two exposure conditions, intermittent (weekly; once per week) and constant (daily; once per 24 h) exposure, for 4 weeks. In both experimental conditions, growth retardation, acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, glutathione S-transferase (GST) activity, and number of newborn juveniles as second generation, together with their survival were measured. Morphometric parameters of total body, antennal scale, exopod, endopod, and telson were significantly retarded by 22%, 14%, 13%, and 24%, respectively, by daily exposure to 100 ng L^-1 Sea-Nine for 4 weeks. Significant inhibition of AChE activity was observed at week 4 in the 100 ng L^-1 daily Sea-Nine-exposed groups, whereas no significant GST activity was measured at the same experimental conditions. Inhibition of AChE activity would be associated with impairment of cholinergic system and may adversely modulate growth parameters of the mysid. The number of newly hatched juveniles from females that were exposed daily to 100 ng L^-1 Sea-Nine was significantly lower than that of the control. Although no significant differences were observed between survival percentages of newborn juveniles for 30 days, mortality (NOEC and LC50) increased in the surviving offspring from the 100 ng L^-1-exposed 1st generation of mysids. These findings suggested that constant exposure to Sea-Nine has detrimental effects on the growth parameters of marine mysids with inhibition of AChE activity.

Plasma biomarkers in juvenile marine fish provide evidence for endocrine modulation potential of organotin compounds

Organotin compounds, such as tributyltin (TBT) and triphenyltin (TPT), have been widely used to control marine fouling. Here, we show that organotin stimulation reduces the hormone levels in the plasma of two economically important aquaculture fish. Blood plasma samples were collected from juvenile red seabream and black rockfish exposed to environmentally realistic concentrations of TBT and TPT for 14 days. The levels of two plasma biomarkers, namely the yolk protein precursor vitellogenin (VTG) and the sex steroid 17β-estradiol (E2), were measured to determine the endocrine disrupting potential of the organotin compounds. Both organotin compounds were dose-dependently accumulated in the blood of two fish. Exposure to waterborne TBT and TBT significantly decreased the plasma VTG levels in both the juvenile fish in a dose-dependent manner. In contrast, the treatment with E2, a well-known VTG inducer, significantly increased the plasma VTG levels in both the fish. In addition, the mRNA levels of vtg were also downregulated in the liver tissues of both the fish at 100 and/or 1000 ng L^-1 of TBT or TPT exposure. The plasma E2 titers were significantly suppressed at 100 and/or 1000 ng L^-1 of TBT or TPT exposure for 14 days compared to their titer in the control. Since estrogen directly regulates vtg gene expression and VTG synthesis, our results reveal the endocrine disrupting potential of organotin compounds, and subsequently the endocrine modulation at early stage of fish can trigger further fluctuations in sexual differentiation, maturation, sex ration or egg production. In addition, the results demonstrate their effects on non-target organisms, particularly on animals reared in aquaculture and fisheries.

The 7 × 1 Fermi Surface Reconstruction in a Two-dimensional f -electron Charge Density Wave System: PrTe3

The electronic structure of a charge density wave (CDW) system PrTe₃ and its modulated structure in the CDW phase have been investigated by employing ARPES, XAS, Pr 4 f RPES, and first-principles band structure calculation. Pr ions are found to be nearly trivalent, supporting the CDW instability in the metallic Te sheets through partial filling. Finite Pr 4 f spectral weight is observed near the Fermi level, suggesting the non-negligible Pr 4 f contribution to the CDW formation through the Pr 4 f -Te 5p hybridization. The two-fold symmetric features in the measured Fermi surface (FS) of PrTe₃ are explained by the calculated FS for the assumed 7 × 1 CDW supercell formation in Te sheets. The shadow bands and the corresponding very weak FSs are observed, which originate from both the band folding due to the 3D interaction of Te sheets with neighboring Pr-Te layers and that due to the CDW-induced FS reconstruction. The straight vertical FSs are observed along k_z, demonstrating the nearly 2D character for the near-E_F states. The observed linear dichroism reveals the in-plane orbital character of the near-E_F Te 5p states.

Long-term control of diabetes in immunosuppressed nonhuman primates (NHP) by the transplantation of adult porcine islets

Pig islets are an alternative source for islet transplantation to treat type 1 diabetes (T1D), but reproducible curative potential in the pig-to-nonhuman primate (NHP) model has not been demonstrated. Here, we report that pig islet grafts survived and maintained normoglycemia for >6 months in four of five consecutive immunosuppressed NHPs. Pig islets were isolated from designated pathogen-free (DPF) miniature pigs and infused intraportally into streptozotocin-induced diabetic rhesus monkeys under pretreatment with cobra venom factor (CVF), anti-thymocyte globulin (ATG) induction and maintenance with anti-CD154 monoclonal antibody and low-dose sirolimus. Ex vivo expanded autologous regulatory T cells were adoptively transferred in three recipients. Blood glucose levels were promptly normalized in all five monkeys and normoglycemia (90-110 mg/dL) was maintained for >6 months in four cases, the longest currently up to 603 days. Intravenous glucose tolerance tests during the follow-up period showed excellent glucose disposal capacity and porcine C-peptide responses. Adoptive transfer of autologous regulatory T cells was likely to be associated with more stable and durable normoglycemia. Importantly, the recipients showed no serious adverse effects. Taken together, our results confirm the clinical feasibility of pig islet transplantation to treat T1D patients without the need for excessive immunosuppressive therapy.

Stress responses of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus (Pallas) following water temperature rise

Stress responses of starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus (Pallas) following water temperature rise were investigated to establish the influence of ambient temperature on this species. The physiological indicators of stress were plasma cortisol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, sodium, chloride, osmolality and triiodothyronine (T3). No significant difference in plasma parameters were observed among the experimental groups of 15 degrees C, 18 degrees C and 21 degrees C. Level of plasma cortisol (49.0-95.0 ng ml(-1)) and glucose (56.1-58.1 mg dl(-1)) of starry flounders kept at 24 degrees C-27 degrees C were significantly higher than those (cortisol: 20.4-23.6 ng ml(-1), glucose: 40.6-47.1 mg dl(-1)) observed in the 15 degrees C-21 degrees C groups. Changes in aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase following water temperature rise showed a similar pattern to plasma cortisol and glucose. Starry flounders exposed to 27 degrees C exhibited higher plasma sodium (164.7 mmol l(-1)), chloride (147.6 mmol l(-1)), and osmolality (450.7 mOsm kg(-1)) than those (sodium: 154.0-158.7 mmol l(-1), chloride: 139.1-140.4 mmol l(-1), osmolality: 375.1-383.8 mOsm kg(-1)) fish exposed to 15-21 degrees C. Though plasma T3 (29.4 ng ml(-1)) of starry flounder increased at 24 degrees C, this hormone was significantly lower (19.3 ng ml(-1)) in fish kept at 27 degrees C than those (24.6 ng ml(-1)) the fish at 15 degrees C. This phenomenon seems to be directly associated with long-term fasting. Accordingly, the results suggested that starry flounders got stressed with osmoregulatory disturbances above 24 degrees C.

Electron-boson spectral density of LiFeAs obtained from optical data

We analyze existing optical data in the superconducting state of LiFeAs at T = 4 K, to recover its electron-boson spectral density. A maximum entropy technique is employed to extract the spectral density I(2)χ(ω) from the optical scattering rate. Care is taken to properly account for elastic impurity scattering which can importantly affect the optics in an s-wave superconductor, but does not eliminate the boson structure. We find a robust peak in I(2)χ(ω) centered about Ω(R) ≅ 8.0 meV or 5.3 k(B)Tc (with Tc = 17.6 K). Its position in energy agrees well with a similar structure seen in scanning tunneling spectroscopy (STS). There is also a peak in the inelastic neutron scattering (INS) data at this same energy. This peak is found to persist in the normal state at T = 23 K. There is evidence that the superconducting gap is anisotropic as was also found in low temperature angular resolved photoemission (ARPES) data.

Geometrical spin frustration in Pr5Ni2Si3 composed of triangular crystal lattices

We have studied the transport, magnetic and thermal properties of Pr5Ni2Si3 with complex triangular lattices under various magnetic fields. The ferromagnetic transitions in the basal plane were observed at T(C1) = 52 K and T(C2) = 65 K. A decrease in magnetization below 30 K and the reduced paramagnetic Curie temperature θP are indicative of the development of antiferromagnetic correlation. These features are well understood by the frustration effect of the magnetic moments of Pr ions which constitute the triangular structural unit. The frustration caused the rapid rise of electrical resistivity below 30 K and an enormous entropy in low-temperature regions. The antiferromagnetic correlation acting between the frustrated Pr ions never causes any long-range order down to 0.6 K.

Superconducting properties of hole doped Ba(0.6)Li(0.4)Fe2As2 single crystal

We report the emergence of superconductivity in Li doped Ba-122 single crystals grown by the Bridgman method. The superconducting transition temperature Tc,onset is around 19 K. The specific heat capacity C/T shows a weak anomaly near Tc. The value of ΔC/γnTc is smaller than the value predicted in BCS theory indicating a multigap nature of the sample. The magnetic measurements show that the lower critical field Hc1(T) exhibits a linear temperature dependence, with a pronounced change of the Hc1(T) curvature around 0.4Tc and Hc1(0) ≈ 430 Oe in the Ba0.6Li0.4Fe2As2 single crystal. Furthermore, temperature dependence of the penetration depth λ(T) follows a power law (~T(n)) below 0.4Tc which predicts possible S±-wave pairing in a Ba0.6Li0.4Fe2As2 superconductor. Over a wide range of temperatures, the Jc(H) exhibits a relation J(c)[proportionality] H(-α) with α = 0.5 ~ 0.6 for H || c and H || ab which indicates random defects in the sample. We found that the temperature dependence of the critical current density Jc(T) can be fitted well with the δl-type pinning model, whose origin is attributed to spatial variations of charge carrier mean free path l. We suggest that the large mismatch in the ionic radius of Ba and Li can affect the irreversible magnetic properties of the Ba0.6Li0.4Fe2As2 single crystal without any structural transition.

Blood physiological responses and growth of juvenile starry flounder, Platichthys stellatus exposed to different salinities

Blood physiological responses, growth and survial rates were examined in juvenile starry flounder, Plotichthys stellatus exposed to different salinities (5, 10, 20, 33 ppt) for 90 days. At the end of the experiment, the plasma levels of Na+and osmolality were similar at 10, 20, 33 ppt, however, the values were significantly lower at 5 ppt compared to those at other salinities. Stress responses such as plasma levels of cortisol, glucose, hematocrit (Ht) and hemoglobin (Hb) levels in all groups showed no significant difference. Although no differences in growth were observed, body weight at 20 ppt tended to be higher than others. Survival in all groups was greater than 99% with no significant differences. These results suggest that starry flounder is euryhalin species, thus this fish can be reared with normal growth and survival rate at 5-33 ppt salinity without osmoregulatory disturbance and stress.

Gene encoding prolactin in cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus and its expression upon acclimation to low salinities

BACKGROUND

Prolactin (PRL) is a key hormone for osmoregulation in fish. Levels of PRL in the pituitary gland and plasma ion composition of clownfish seem to change to regulate their hydromineral balance during adaptation to waters of different salinities. In order to understand osmoregulatory mechanism and its association with growth performance and PRL in fish, the gene encoding PRL and its expression level in cinnamon clownfish Amphiprion melanopus upon acclimation to low salinity was analyzed.

RESULTS

The PRL gene of A. melanopus encoded a protein of 212 amino acid residues comprised of a putative signal peptide of 24 amino acids and a mature protein of 188 amino acids. Analysis of growth performance under different salinities of 34, 25, 15, and 10 ppt indicated that cinnamon clownfish could survive under salinities as low as 10 ppt. A higher rate of growth was observed at the lower salinities as compared to that of 34 ppt. Upon shifting the salinity of the surrounding water from 34 ppt to 15 ppt, the level of the PRL transcripts gradually increased to reach the peak level until 24 h of acclimation at 15 ppt, but decreased back as adaptation continued to 144 h. In contrast, levels of plasma Na+, Cl-, and osmolality decreased at the initial stage (4-8 h) of acclimation at 15 pt but increased back as adaptation continued till 144 h.

CONCLUSION

Cinnamon clownfish could survive under salinities as low as 10 ppt. Upon shifting the salinity of the surrounding water from 34 ppt to 15 ppt, the level of the PRL transcripts gradually increased during the initial stage of acclimation but decreased back to the normal level as adaptation continued. An opposite pattern of changes - decrease at the beginning followed by an increase - in the levels of plasma Na+, Cl-, and osmolality was found upon acclimation to low salinity. The results suggest an involvement of PRL in the processes of osmoregulation and homeostasis in A. melanopus.

Effects of varying dilutions, pH, temperature and cations on spermatozoa motility in fish Larimichthys polyactis

The objectives of this present study were to assess the effects of varying dilutions, pH, temperature and cations on spermatozoa motile parameters (SMPs) in fish Larimichthys polyactis. Optimal SMPs were observed when emen was diluted in artificial seawater (ASW) at a ratio of 1 to 100, with temperature of 10 degreesC and pH 8.0. The spermatozoa of L. polyactis were immotile in distilled water and motile in solution containing different cations. Maximum SMPs were obtained in each solution containing 0.4 mol NaCI, 0.4 mol KCI, 0.2 mol CaCI2 and 0.2 mol MgCl2. This study provides baseline knowledge of L. polyactis spermatozoa sensitivity of pH, temperature and cationic effects.

Expression of warm temperature acclimation-related protein 65-kDa (Wap65) mRNA, and physiological changes with increasing water temperature in black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli

We isolated the warm temperature acclimation-related protein 65-kDa (Wap65) cDNA from the liver of black porgy and investigated the expression by increasing water temperature in black porgy, Acanthopagrus schlegeli. Black porgy Wap65 full-length cDNA consists of 1,338 nucleotides, including an open reading frame, predicted to encode a protein of 425 amino acids and showed high homology to pufferfish (79%), Medaka (73%), carp (70%), and goldfish (68%) Wap65. Increase in water temperature (20 degrees C --> 30 degrees C; 1 degrees C/day) induced the rise of Wap65 mRNA expression in liver of black porgy. Also, the levels of cortisol and glucose in plasma were significantly higher at 30 degrees C than at 20 degrees C. To determine the high water temperature stressor specificity of the induction of Wap65, black porgy were transferred from seawater (SW) to freshwater (FW) for 24 hr. Wap65 expression was not detected when the fish were transferred from SW to FW (in fish transferred from SW to FW), although the levels of cortisol and glucose in plasma were increased. These results suggest that increase in Wap65 gene is related to high water temperature stress and play important roles in high water temperature environment of black porgy.

Molecular cloning of PEPCK and stress response of black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) to increased temperature in freshwater and seawater

Stress responses to increased temperature in black porgy reared in freshwater (FBP) and seawater (SBP) were examined via endocrinological and blood physiological methods. A rise in temperature increased plasma cortisol levels, which were significantly higher in FBP compared to SBP. The stimulated expression of phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) mRNA in liver might result from the high cortisol level, and this explains the observed higher plasma glucose levels in FBP versus SBP. Full-length cDNA sequence for PEPCK was determined by 3' and 5' RACE procedures. PEPCK cDNA clone was found to contain 2563 nucleotides including an open reading frame that encodes 624 amino acids. While aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) of FBP increased with temperature, there was no change in SBP. In FBP, T(3) were 2.3+/-0.3 ng/ml at 20 degrees C and significantly decreased to 1.0+/-0.3 ng/ml at 30 degrees C. On the other hand, in SBP, it were 3.1+/-0.5 ng/ml at 20 degrees C but significantly increased to 5.2+/-0.4 ng/ml at 30 degrees C. When comparing osmolality at the temperature of 30 degrees C and of 20 degrees C, the difference was found to be greater for FBP than SBP. Accordingly, the results suggest that FBP suffers greater stress than SBP with increased temperature, and provide stress responses and osmoregulatory abilities against stressors in black porgy that could differ depending on salinities.

Black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli) prolactin cDNA sequence: mRNA expression and blood physiological responses during freshwater acclimation

To investigate the consequences of freshwater (FW) transfer, we studied the prolactin (PRL) cDNA sequence and its mRNA expression, and physiological responses in the black porgy (Acanthopagrus schlegeli). We cloned and characterized cDNA encoding its PRL from the pituitary gland. Black porgy PRL cDNA consists of 1492 bp and encodes a protein of 212 amino acids including 24 signal peptides. Reverse transcription-PCR showed the PRL mRNA expression in the pituitary gland. Expression of pituitary gland PRL mRNA was significantly higher during FW acclimation. Furthermore, we studied the stress responses and osmoregulatory abilities of black porgy in changing salinities. Plasma cortisol, glucose, aspartate aminotransferase (AST) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT) significantly increased in the fish immediately after transfer to FW. We also identified significant changes in the fish in terms of plasma ions (Na(+), Cl(-), Ca(2+)) and osmolality during the acclimation period. These results suggests that PRL plays an important role in hormonal regulation in osmoregulatory organs, thereby improving the hyperosmoregulatory ability of black porgy in freshwater.

Clusterin induces differentiation of pancreatic duct cells into insulin-secreting cells

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

We recently reported that expression of the gene encoding clusterin (Clu) is upregulated in the regenerating pancreas, particularly in tissues undergoing differentiation. This led us to propose that clusterin participates in the cytodifferentiation of pancreatic tissue, particularly the endocrine islet cells. The aim of this study was to investigate whether clusterin induces the differentiation of duct-lining cells into insulin-secreting cells.

METHODS

We isolated ductal tissue from rat pancreas and cultured it to develop epithelial cell explants for transfection of the Clu cDNA as well as for treatment of clusterin protein.

RESULTS

The number of newly differentiated insulin cells increased 6.9-fold upon Clu overexpression compared with controls. Ins1 mRNA and peptide levels were also increased. Furthermore, glucose-stimulated insulin secretion was observed in the differentiated insulin cells. These cells were immunoreactive for insulin and C-peptide, but negative for other islet hormones and for cytokeratin-20, which indicates a fully differentiated state. Insulin cell differentiation was also increased in a dose-dependent manner by treating duct cells in culture with clusterin, indicating a growth-factor-like action of clusterin in insulin cell differentiation.

CONCLUSIONS/INTERPRETATION

These results suggest that clusterin can be considered as a potential morphogenic factor that promotes differentiation of pancreatic beta cells.

The origin of cells that repopulate patellar tendons used for reconstructing anterior cruciate ligaments in man

Cryopreserved patellar tendon allografts are often recommended for reconstruction of anterior cruciate ligaments (ACLs) because living donor fibroblasts are thought to promote repair. Animal studies, however, indicate that ligaments regenerate from recipient rather than donor cells. If applicable to man, these observations suggest that allograft cell viability is unimportant. We therefore used short tandem repeat analysis with polymerase chain reaction (PCR) amplification to determine the source of cells in nine human ACLs reconstructed with cryopreserved patellar tendon allografts. PCR amplification of donor and recipient DNA obtained before operation and DNA from the graft obtained two to ten months after transplantation revealed the genotype of cells and showed only recipient cells in the graft area. Rather than preserve the viability of donor cells, a technique is required which will facilitate the introduction of recipient cells into patellar tendon allografts.

Tissue engineered tracheal prosthesis with acceleratedly cultured homologous chondrocytes as an alternative of tracheal reconstruction

BACKGROUND

Autologous tissue is an ideal substitue for an extensive tracheal reconstruction, but it is rarely feasible in clinical situations. Many tracheal prosthesis had been used for such an instances, but unfortunately it is still problematic. Dislocation, local infection, hemorrage, and luminal stenosis can cause prosthetic failure. To achieve clinically available autologous tracheal prosthesis, it is necessary that we have to get phenotypically functioning chondrocytes, rapid differentiation of harvested autologous chondrocytes, and the survival of free grafted cultured chondrocytes.

METHODS

In this study, we investigated isolation and culture method of the chondrocytes using the rabbit costal cartilage, and the cells were characterized microscopically and biochemically first. Then we have used cultured rabbit chondrocytes to investigate the role of growth factors upon the proliferation and regulation of the cultured chondrocytes. We have examined the effect of peptide growth factors on DNA and proteoglycan synthesis to the rabbit chondrocyte. The effects of IGF-I and basic FGF were investigated individually. Secondly, acceleratedly cultured chondrocytes were embeded to polymer (PLGA) scaffold in bioreactor, and implanted to defected rabbit trachea. Six weeks later, the rabbits were sacrificed and examined their histologic characteristics.

RESULTS

The harvested chondrocytes from costal arch grew well and were amplified successfully maitaining their own phenotypes. Its embedding to PLGA scaffold was accomplished successfully. The implanted tracheal prosthesis maintains its physical integrity well, but the histologic examination revealed non-viable chondrocytes. The epithelial linings were good.

CONCLUSIONS

The tissue engineered tracheal prosthesis can be a promising alternative of good functional air way tube in short term experiment, but biologically not vital yet. Further investigations are necessary to see the survival of free grafted chondrocytes and the long term results.

Effects of ageing and arthritic disease on nitric oxide production by human articular chondrocytes

Nitric oxide (NO) has been considered as an important mediator in inflammatory phases and in loss of cartilage. In inflammatory arthritis, NO levels are correlated with disease activity and articular cartilage is able to produce large amounts of NO with the appropriate inducing factor such as cytokines. The old animals are shown to have a greater sensitivity to NO than young animals. This study evaluated the basal production of NO in normal and OA-affected chondroyctes from young and old patients and compared the levels of NO formation in response to IL-1beta. The results showed that the basal levels were 7-fold higher in old chondrocytes than those of young cells. However, the IL-1beta induced NO production was seen to decrease with age. Aminoguianidine (AG), a competitive inhibitor of iNOS, inhibited NO formation completely in both chondrocytes from young and old individuals. However, at the same concentration of AG it caused partial inhibition of NO and iNOS formation in chondrocytes from OA-affected individuals. In addition, although the IL-1beta induced NO production was much lesser than that of young chondrocytes, the inhibition of collagen production by IL-1beta was prominent in old chondrocytes and OA-affected chondrocytes. These results suggest that age-related differences in the regulation of NO production and collagen production, which may affect the ageing cells and osteoarthritic changes in some way.

Magnetic resonance imaging of reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament

After anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with autologous patellar tendon, 23 patients who had clinically stable knees were studied prospectively with sequential magnetic resonance imaging 1, 2, 3, 6, and 12 months after surgery. The images of the anterior cruciate ligament were obtained with a 1.5 tesla magnetic resonance scanner in the oblique sagittal, coronal, and oblique axial planes. The cross-sectional area and signal intensity on the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament were measured in an oblique axial image. The usefulness of the oblique axial image in evaluating the integrity of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament was seen. The result showed that the diameter of the graft increased by 70% of its initial size and the signal intensity of the reconstructed graft also showed a tendency to increase. In three patients, there was discontinuity in the graft direction on the oblique sagittal image, but on the oblique axial image there was no evidence of reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament rupture in the sequential images. This shows the value of the oblique axial image in evaluating the integrity of the reconstructed anterior cruciate ligament. Also, sufficient notchplasty in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction may be needed to prevent graft impingement.

Clusterin expression during regeneration of pancreatic islet cells in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats

AIMS/HYPOTHESIS

Beta-cell regeneration has been reported after islet injury in an animal model for diabetes. Recently, we showed up-regulation of clusterin after islet injury and suggested that clusterin might be involved in cytoprotection and in the regeneration of islet cells. The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation of clusterin expression with islet regeneration and its effect on islet cell replication.

METHODS

Streptozotocin was administrated to rats to induce various types of diabetes. Islet regeneration and clusterin expression were examined after islet injuries. Clusterin cDNA was transfected to MIN6 cells and their proliferation activity was measured by a [3H]thymidine-incorporation assay.

RESULTS

A diabetogenic dose of streptozotocin injected in rats provoked an immediate degeneration of beta cells. In this model, islets showed increased clusterin expression with extensive proliferation of alpha cells but showed poor beta-cell replication. A subdiabetogenic dose of streptozotocin, however, led to the proliferation of beta cells with clusterin up-regulation. In streptozotocin-treated neonatal rats, up-regulation of clusterin was noted during beta-cell proliferation. In all experimental models, clusterin was expressed in alpha cells in close correlation with islet cell proliferation, higher transcription of insulin mRNA and MAPKs activation. Cell replication was increased by 31 % in the MIN6 cells transfected by the clusterin cDNA.

CONCLUSION/INTERPRETATION

Up-regulation of clusterin in alpha cells might induce beta-cell proliferation and thus restore their population after islet injury. We suggest that clusterin could be considered as a growth factor-like molecule stimulating islet-cell proliferation by paracrine action.

Medial discoid meniscus completely coalesced with the anterior cruciate ligament

Medial discoid meniscus is an uncommon abnormality. To date, only a few reports have described the associated anomaly with discoid meniscus. However, there are no reports on medial discoid meniscus accompanied by an anomaly of the meniscus itself. The authors found that a medial discoid meniscus completely coalesced with the anterior cruciate ligament. This anomaly strongly supports the congenital development theory of discoid meniscus. Both magnetic resonance imaging and the arthroscopic findings are presented. The patient was treated successfully by saucerization of the discoid meniscus up to the torn edge. This was accomplished by closely cutting the meniscus around the anterior cruciate ligament with an electric cutter.

Controlling self-incompatibility by CO2 gas treatment in Brassica campestris: structural alteration of papillae cell and differential gene expression by increased CO2 gas

Self-imcompatibility is a controlling genetic mechanism to prevent self-pollination for Chinese cabbage (Brassica campestris), one of the major vegetable crops in Korea. To maintain inbred lines of the crop plant, a method in that high CO2 gas is treated to the pistils to overcome the self-incompatibility and thereby self-pollens can successfully make germination and fertilization has been widely used in seed companies. Despite the common utilization of this method, any molecular and cellular studies on how the self-incompatibility is removed from the Chinese cabbage plant have not been done. In this study, we show that the increased CO2 gas causes a structural alteration of the papillae cell and thereby the self-incompatibility is removed from the Chinese cabbage plant, allowing the self-pollens to germinate and penetrate the papillae cell. Also, gene expression in the pistil treated with CO2 gas was studied by DD/RT-PCR and reverse northern hybridization experiments. The results suggest that the failure in self-incompatible reaction resulted not only from the structural alteration of the papillae cell but also from change in the pistil component production that is either positively or negatively regulated by the environmental stimulation.

Cytoprotective effect of arginine deiminase on taxol-induced apoptosis in DU145 human prostate cancer cells

We purified and partially sequenced a cytostatic protein from the ASC-17D Sertoli cell-conditioned media (rSCCM) showing a molecular weight of 90 kDa with homodimeric composition. N-terminal amino acid analysis revealed that the protein was homologous to the arginine deiminase (ADI) of Mycoplasma arginini. We found ADI enzyme activity in rSCCM and the abolishment of the growth inhibitory effect by the supplement of L-arginine. Thus, we confirmed that the cytostatic activity in rSCCM was due to the depletion of extracellular L-arginine by ADI. Apparent increase of cell death or DNA fragmentation was not observed in DU145 cells cultured in the presence of ADI. Incubation of DU145 cancer cells with taxol resulted in a marked DNA fragmentation, whereas pretreatment with ADI or cycloheximide protected the cells from taxol-induced apoptosis. Preincubation of the cells with ADI inhibited S35-methionine incorporation into protein synthesis in a dose dependent manner. These data suggest that ADI-induced arginine depletion may inhibit protein synthesis, and result in the protection of apoptotic cell death that requires new protein synthesis.

Antisense oligonucleotide of clusterin mRNA induces apoptotic cell death and prevents adhesion of rat ASC-17D Sertoli cells

Clusterin has been known to play important roles in cell-cell and/or cell-substratum interactions. Recently we reported the transient expression of clusterin in pancreatic endocrine cells during the early developmental stages and suggested a role in aggregating the endocrine cells for islet formation. In the present study, we have investigated the involvement of clusterin in cell-substratum interaction by the inhibition of clusterin synthesis using antisense oligonucleotide. The expression of clusterin was transiently increased as early as 2-8 h after plating the ASC-17D Sertoli cells to the culture flask, which was the period of cell attachment. In addition, up-regulation of clusterin mRNA was so much greater when the Sertoli cells were plated on the petri dish for the bacterial culture instead of in a animal cell culture flask that therefore, the cells failed to attach to it. These findings suggested that interruption of cell to plate substratum interaction might lead to over-expression of clusterin from Sertoli cells to induce cell to cell aggregation or, perhaps, to re-establish attachment with the substratum. Transfection of ASC-17D Sertoli cells with a 20-base antisense oligonucleotide against clusterin mRNA resulted in extracellular release of LDH and DNA fragmentation. Sertoli cell death by antisense oligonucleotide of clusterin was sequence specific and dose dependent. Treatment of antisense oligonucleotide induced a marked reduction of synthesis for clusterin protein, but not for clusterin mRNA expression, suggesting the translational suppression of clusterin by antisense oligonucleotide. Further, microscopic observation showed that more noticeable cell death was induced by treating the antisense prior to plating the cells than by treating after cell attachment to the plate. From these results, we speculate that down-regulation of clusterin expression in the anchorage-dependent Sertoli cells prevents them from attaching to the plate, and therefore induces cell death.

Polyamine-depletion induces p27Kip1 and enhances dexamethasone-induced G1 arrest and apoptosis in human T lymphoblastic leukemia cells

Glucocorticoid-induced apoptosis is preceded by G1 arrest and supposed to be up-regulated by polyamine-depletion, which also induces G1, arrest. In CEM leukemia cells, dexamethasone showed an antileukemic effect by inducing G1 arrest and apoptosis. DFMO, which depleted cellular polyamines by inhibiting ornithine decarboxylase, induced G1 arrest but without apoptosis, though it enhanced dexamethasone-induced G1 arrest and apoptosis. The G1 arrest was associated with hypophosphorylation of pRb. Dexamethasone inhibited the increase of mutated p53 expression but had little effect on p2Wafl/Cip1 expression. The p27Kip1, level was increased by dexamethasone or and DFMO in line with the kinetics of G1 arrest. Therefore, the up-regulation of dexamethasone-induced apoptosis by polyamine-depletion may be associated with additive down-regulation of G1 progression via the p27Kip1-pRb pathtway.

Up-regulation of clusterin (sulfated glycoprotein-2) in pancreatic islet cells upon streptozotocin injection to rats

Clusterin is a heterodimeric glycoprotein which has been shown to play important roles in programmed cell death and/or in tissue reorganization not only during embryonic development but also in damaged tissues. Recently, we reported the transient induction of clusterin in pancreatic endocrine cells during early developmental stages of islet formation. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of clusterin in pancreatic tissue of streptozotocin-treated rats which were undergoing extensive islet tissue reorganization due to degeneration of insulin beta cells. Clusterin was found in endocrine cells identified as glucagon-secreting alpha cells at the periphery of the islet. Using immunoelectron microscopy, clusterin-positive cells showed the typical ultrastructural features of pancreatic alpha cells. In addition, colocalization of clusterin and glucagon in the same secretory granules was shown by double immunogold labeling. These results imply that clusterin is a secretory molecule having endocrine and/or paracrine actions in parallel with glucagon. Further, we noted that clusterin expression was increased in pancreatic alpha cells during the process of beta cell death upon streptozotocin injection. The increase was significant as early as 1-3 h after streptozotocin treatment prior to any morphological alteration of islet beta cell and any manifestation of hyperglycemia. The expression of clusterin was steady-stately up-regulated during the process of islet reorganization caused by streptozotocin-induced cytotoxic injury. Therefore, we suggest that clusterin might be considered as a molecule induced by both embryonic development and drug-induced reorganization of the endocrine pancreas. Since clusterin expression is up-regulated in alpha cells, but not in beta cells undergoing degeneration, it may play a protective role against the cytotoxic insult.

Transient expression of clusterin (sulfated glycoprotein-2) during development of rat pancreas

Clusterin has been known to play important roles not only in remodeling damaged tissues, but also in tissue reorganization during embryonic development. In the present study, we have investigated the expression of clusterin in the endocrine pancreas during embryonic development. Although a weak immunoreaction was detected in some pancreatic primordial cells at day 14 of gestation, distinct clusterin expression was identified by immunocytochemistry and Northern blot analysis at the 16th day of gestation. Clusterin-producing cells, which corresponded to insulin-containing cells, accounted for the major portion of the developing islet of Langerhans up to 18 days of gestation. Thereafter, clusterin-producing cells display similar distribution and morphological features to glucagon-producing cells. Clusterin expressed in the pancreas was shown by Western blot analysis to be a disulfide-linked heterodimer of 70 kDa with an alpha-subunit of 32 kDa. During early developmental stages, however, we found that proteolytic internal cleavage of the clusterin molecule occurred from the 18th day of gestation. Only one 70 kDa band on the 16th day and two bands (32 kDa and 70 kDa) on the 18th day of gestation were detected by Western blot analysis even in reducing conditions, while only a single 32 kDa band was detected on the second day after birth. The levels of clusterin mRNA in the pancreas transiently increased from the 16th day of gestation to the second day after birth, during the period when active cellular reorganization takes place to form the classic cellular features of the islet. Among various tissue (kidney, brain, liver, heart, lung and pancreas) the levels of clusterin mRNA were the highest in the pancreas from the 18th day of gestation to the second day after birth. In contrast, the lowest expression was observed in adult pancreatic tissue. The higher expression of clusterin in developing pancreas must indicate its involvement in tissue organization during development.

Tumors of the pancreas with osteoclast-like and pleomorphic giant cells: an immunohistochemical and ploidy study

BACKGROUND

Tumors of the pancreas with osteoclast-like giant cells are of uncertain histogenesis and aggressiveness. Their relationship, if any, to undifferentiated (anaplastic) carcinomas of the pancreas with pleomorphic giant cells is also not clear.

METHODS

Eleven tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells were studied by immunohistochemistry for epithelial and mesenchymal markers, as well as for a proliferation marker (Ki67) and p53 protein expression. Cytometric image analysis for nuclear DNA content was also performed. K-ras mutations were investigated by DNA sequence analysis.

RESULTS

Neoplastic, predominantly spindle-shaped cells and osteoclast-like giant cells were positive for mesenchymal markers CD68, LCA, and A1ACT. These spindle-shaped cells were also positive for human muscle actin. Spindle-shaped cells of seven tumors were also positive for epithelial markers carcinoembryonic antigen, epithelial membrane antigen, or keratin. Nine tumors contained a variable number of pleomorphic giant cells in addition to osteoclast-like giant cells. Pleomorphic giant cells were much less positive for mesenchymal markers than were osteoclast-like giant cells, but they were positive for some epithelial markers. A high percentage of spindle-shaped and pleomorphic giant cells were positive for Ki67. Diploid and aneuploid populations were present in varying proportions in both spindle cells and pleomorphic giant cells. The nuclei of osteoclast-like giant cells, however, were diploid and not proliferating. Spindle-shaped and pleomorphic giant cells were positive for p53 protein in 5 of 10 cases. Five of six tumors studied were positive for K-ras mutations.

CONCLUSION

The distinction between tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells and undifferentiated carcinomas with pleomorphic giant cells is often not clear-cut. Both types of tumors have mesenchymal and epithelial characteristics in varying proportions and may arise from an undifferentiated pancreatic stem cell. Long-term survival of two patients suggests that some tumors with osteoclast-like giant cells may have a better prognosis than the usual pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma.

Effects of spinally and supraspinally injected 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine, cholera toxin, and pertussis toxin on cold water swimming stress-induced antinociception in the mouse

1. The cold (4 degrees C) water swimming stress (CWSS) for 3 min significantly increased the inhibition of the tail-flick response in ICR mice. 2. Pertussis toxin (PTX, 0.05-0.5 microgram) in mice pretreated intrathecally (IT) for 6 days attenuated the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by CWSS. However, intracerebroventricular (ICV) pretreatment with PTX at the same doses did not affect CWSS-induced inhibition of the tail-flick inhibition. 3. 3-Isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX, 0.01-1 ng) in mice pretreated IT for 10 min dose-dependently attenuated the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by CWSS. However, IBMX in mice ICV pretreated ICV at the same doses was not effective in attenuating the CWSS-induced inhibition of the tail-flick response. 4. Neither IT nor ICV pretreatment with cholera toxin (CTX, 0.05-0.5 microgram) for 24 hr affected the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by CWSS. 5. The ICV or IT injection of PTX, CTX, or IBMX did not affect the basal tail-flick response latency. 6. It is concluded that spinal, but not supraspinal, PTX-sensitive G-proteins and cAMP phosphodiesterase may be involved in the antinociception produced by CWSS. However, neither spinal nor supraspinal CTX-sensitive G-proteins appear to be involved in mediating the antinociception induced by CWSS.

Neoplastic transformation of prostatic and urogenital epithelium by the polyoma virus middle T gene

Male transgenic mice expressing the polyomavirus middle T (PyV-MT) gene exhibited growth and developmental abnormalities in prostatic and other urogenital epithelium. Expression of PyV-MT was directed to these tissues by a novel, androgen-inducible expression vector based on the rat C3(1) gene. Epithelial growth disturbances (hyperplasia, dysplasia, and invasive carcinoma) were observed in the ventral and dorsal prostate, coagulating gland, epididymis, and vas deferens. The abnormalities were characterized by histological disorganization, nuclear pleomorphism, increased mitoses, and abnormal DNA content. Transgene transcription was detected in affected tissues, indicating that the C3(1)-based vector targeted androgen-sensitive urogenital tissues, especially the prostate. These results demonstrated that expression of a gene, the protein of which is known to interact with cellular proteins involved in signal transduction, dramatically disrupted urogenital growth and development.

Arthroscopic anatomy of the infrapatellar plica

The infrapatellar plicae, ligamentum mucosum, were examined by arthroscopy in 200 knees. They were classified into five patterns according to the characteristics of the morphologic findings: separate type in 121 cases (60.5%), split type in 27 cases (13.5%), vertical septum type in 21 cases (10.5%), and fenestra type in 2 cases (1.0%). The remaining 29 cases (14.5%) did not have any infrapatellar plica, which were defined as absent type. Hence, the incidence of the infrapatellar plica was 85.5% of the 200 knees examined. There was no significant difference between right and left knees in the distribution pattern of the plica types. The incidence of the infrapatellar plicae decreased as the age increased. Both knees showed the same pattern in the 9 of 16 cases in which a bilateral comparison of the infrapatellar plicae was made.

Involvement of supraspinal and spinal CCK receptors in the modulation of antinociception induced by cold water swimming stress in the mouse

We have previously reported that supraspinally and spinally located CCK receptors are involved in antagonizing supraspinally administered opioid-induced antinociception. Cold water swimming stress (CWSS) produces antinociception and opioid receptors are involved in CWSS-induced antinociception. The present study was designed to determine if supraspinal and spinal CCK receptors were involved in modulating the CWSS- induced antinociception. Antinociception was assessed by the tail-flick test. CWSS caused a profound inhibition of the tail-flick response. Various doses of CCK injected intracerebroventricularly (i.c.v.) or intrathecally (i.t.) alone did not show any antinociceptive effect. The i.c.v. or i.t. pretreatment with CCK (0.05-0.5 ng) dose dependently attenuated the CWSS- induced inhibition of the tail-flick response. In addition, i.c.v. pretreatment with lorglumide (0.1-10 pg) but not PD135,158 (1-100 pg) dose dependently reversed CCK's inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by CWSS. However, both lorglumide and PD135,158 injected i.t. reversed the antagonism of CCK against the inhibition of the tail-flick response induced by CWSS in a dose-dependent manner. Our results suggest that, at the supraspinal level, CCK(A) but not CCK(B) receptors may be involved in antagonizing the CWSS-induced antinociception. In the spinal cord both CCK(A) and CCK(B) receptors appear to be involved in antagonizing the CWSS-induced antinociception.

Paradoxical phenomena of the McMurray test. An arthroscopic investigation

We evaluated 200 patients who had a positive McMurray test and found atypical McMurray test results in 24 patients (12%). These patients revealed pain or clicking or both either in the medial compartment of the knee when the leg was internally rotated or in the lateral compartment of the knee when the leg was externally rotated. The authors analyzed these paradoxical findings at arthroscopic examination to identify the relationship between the type of meniscal tear and the direction of leg rotation that elicited the catching and displacement of the torn meniscal portion during the McMurray test. Contrary to conventional McMurray test findings, three different types of meniscal tears were found on the side of the knee where pain or a clicking sound occurred. The three types were 1) anteriorly based posterior oblique tears with anterior displacement of the meniscus, 2) bucket-handle tears in the posterior half of the menisci, and 3) peripheral detachment of discoid menisci in the posterior half of the torn portions.

The influence of reduced dietary fat absorption induced by orlistat on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin in healthy volunteers

To assess the influence of an orlistat-induced reduction in dietary fat absorption on the pharmacokinetics of digoxin, an open-label, placebo-controlled, randomized, two-way crossover study was performed in 12 healthy volunteers. Each subject received single 0.4-mg doses of digoxin (soft gelatin capsules) administered orally on the fourth day of orlistat (120 mg three times daily for 6 days) and placebo (three times daily for 6 days) treatment, separated by at least an 11-day washout period. Serial blood samples were collected before and at appropriate intervals after each digoxin dose to determine plasma concentrations of unchanged digoxin. The 90% confidence intervals for the ratio of geometric least-squares means (for Cmax, AUC0-48, AUC0-t, and AUC) and for the difference of arithmetic least-squares means (for tmax and lambda z) indicate that the pharmacokinetics of digoxin was not altered by treatment with orlistat. This results suggests that a approximately 30% reduction in dietary fat absorption will not change the efficacy of digoxin in cardiac patients.

Discoid lateral meniscus associated with anomalous insertion of the medial meniscus

Discoid lateral meniscus in the knee joint is common. From July 1990 through September 1992, the authors performed arthroscopy on 534 symptomatic knee joints. Seventy-seven knees of 72 patients had discoid lateral meniscus. Of the 77 knees treated, 4 (5.5%) had discoid lateral meniscus associated with anomalous insertion of the anterior horn of the medial meniscus into the anterior cruciate ligament. The discoid lateral meniscus was reshaped in the 4 knees, and followup was done from 12 to 24 months (average, 20 months) after surgery. The results were satisfactory, except for 1 patient who damaged his knee in a traffic accident. The authors concluded that this anatomic variant of the medial meniscus was not related to the patients' symptoms, but that reshaping the discoid lateral meniscus did relieve their symptoms.

The influence of volumetric tumor doubling time, DNA ploidy, and histologic grade on the survival of patients with intracranial astrocytomas

PURPOSE

To improve the prediction of individual survival in patients with intracranial astrocytomas through the analysis of volumetric tumor doubling time (VDt) and DNA ploidy.

METHODS

A pilot study was retrospectively conducted on a group of 25 patients with intracranial astrocytomas in whom recurrent and/or progressive disease was observed on serial contrast-enhanced CT or MR examinations. VDt was computed using two or more data points from a semilogarithmic plot of tumor volume versus time. Size-adjusted survival was calculated using a method based on VDt and initial tumor volume to decrease the lead time bias attributable to differing tumor sizes at presentation.

RESULTS

Slower VDt was associated with significantly longer survival and size-adjusted survival as determined by a univariate Cox proportional hazard analysis. Aneuploidy was a significant indicator of poor survival. Aneuploid and multiclonal astrocytomas had poor size-adjusted survivals compared with diploid astrocytomas. Grade IV astrocytomas had significantly poorer survival and size-adjusted survival compared with lower grades (I to III), which individually were not significantly correlated. However, grade IV histology was not a significant independent predictor of size-adjusted survival in a multivariate Cox model, whereas VDt and DNA ploidy remained significant. VDt also had a significant direct linear correlation to survival and size-adjusted survival.

CONCLUSIONS

VDt and DNA ploidy were more sensitive than histologic grading as indicators of individual survival. Initial tumor size needs to be considered when staging and assessing survival in patients with intracranial astrocytomas.

Genomic structure of the mouse delta opioid receptor gene

Using mouse delta opioid receptor (DOR) cDNA sequence to probe genomic libraries in bacteriophage lambda and P1 vectors, clones traversing the entire DOR coding sequence and 5' and 3' flanking regions were isolate. Genomic sequence encoding mature DOR message, including 5' and 3' untranslated sequence, is divided by two introns of 26 kb and 3 kb, resulting in the gene occupying 32 kb of chromosomal DNA. Multiple putative transcription initiation sites were located, by RNase protection assay, in TATA-less G+C rich sequence between 390 and 140 nucleotides upstream from the ATG translation start codon. A polyadenylation site was located 1.24 kb downstream from the TGA translation stop codon. Examination of 1.3 kb of 5'flanking sequence revealed potential binding sites for several known transcription factors including: Sp1, Ap-2, NF-kappa B, NF-IL6, and NGFI-B.

Genomic structure analysis of promoter sequence of a mouse mu opioid receptor gene

We have isolated mouse mu opioid receptor genomic clones (termed MOR) containing the entire amino acid coding sequence corresponding to rat MOR-1 cDNA, including additional 5' flanking sequence. The mouse MOR gene is > 53 kb long, and the coding sequence is divided by three introns, with exon junctions in codons 95 and 213 and between codons 386 and 387. The first intron is > 26 kb, the second is 0.8 kb, and the third is > 12 kb. Multiple transcription initiation sites were observed, with four major sites confirmed by 5' rapid amplification of cDNA ends and RNase protection located between 291 and 268 bp upstream of the translation start codon. Comparison of the 5' flanking sequence with a transcription factor database revealed putative cis-acting regulatory elements for transcription factors affected by cAMP, as well as those involved in the action of gluco- and mineralocorticoids, cytokines, and immune-cell-specific factors.

Arthroscopic intraarticular interference screw technique of posterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: one-incision technique

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction using a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft with double incisions has been described in the literature. We present the single-incision technique that may aid the surgeon in performing difficult PCL reconstructions and reduce the possibility of injuring the knee extensor mechanism. By using three proper portals, we have shown that it is possible to make a femoral tunnel and engage a bone peg of the graft in the tunnel without any extensor damage and without disturbing the divergence angle of the bony tunnels. We have performed 22 such operations with successful results.

Congenital bilateral absence of the acromion. A case report

Complete bilateral absence of the acromion, a condition not previously reported by others, was discovered in a 31-year-old housewife who had shoulder pain. Clinically, no abnormal physical sign was noted in the patient except for mild superior translation of the humeral heads. Radiographs showed bilateral absence of the lateral aspect of each scapular spine and acromion. The lateral ends of both clavicles were hypertrophied with convex and blunt margins. Even in the absence of the acromion, there was no significant clinical dysfunction of the shoulder joint.