Has the double burden of malnutrition reached pupils in rural western Kenya?

BACKGROUND

Undernutrition and overnutrition have been considered separate challenges caused by the distinct factors in distinct settings. The double burden of malnutrition is defined as the coexistence of both undernutrition and overnutrition, which has now spread globally, especially in low- and middle-income countries. In Kenya, the double burden of malnutrition is present in the capital city but the situation in rural areas currently remains unknown. The aim of this study was therefore to analyze nutritional status in rural Kenya.

METHODS

Data from height and weight measurements conducted by teachers in the third term of school year 2013 were collected from primary schools. Teachers were trained by experts before starting the measurements. The Z-scores of height-for-age, weight-for-age, and body mass index-for-age were calculated using AnthroPlus, and nutritional status was defined according to the World Health Organization guidelines.

RESULTS

Data analyzed from 7,447 pupils (3,763 boys and 3,684 girls) showed that 12.4% were stunted and 7.8% were underweight among those ≤120 months old, and 11.7% were thin among those >120 months old. Boys were more likely to be stunted than girls. Boys were more likely to be underweight and girls were more likely to be overweight in the older age group.

CONCLUSION

The double burden of malnutrition was not found, and undernutrition was still common among schoolchildren in the study area. However, it is important to monitor nutritional status due to adverse effects of rapid urbanization. Height and weight measurements in schools may be useful for monitoring the nutritional status of schoolchildren.

Implementation of Kenyan comprehensive school health program: improvement and association with students' academic attainment

There is growing evidence supporting the effectiveness of a comprehensive school health program. However, implementation in developing countries is a challenge. Furthermore, the available information on the association between a comprehensive school health program and students' academic attainment is limited. In Kenya, a project to verify the effects of a comprehensive school health program was carried out in Mbita sub-county, Homa Bay County from September 2012 to August 2017. This study aimed to clarify the improvement of school health during the project years and the association between school health and students' academic attainment. Primary schools in Mbita sub-county were selected as study sites. We assessed 44 schools' scores on a school health checklist developed from the Kenyan Comprehensive School Health Program, the students' mean score on the Kenya Certificate of Primary Education (KCPE), and absenteeism during the project years (2013-16). The mean school health checklist score (n = 44 schools) was 135.6 in 2013, 169.9 in 2014, 158.2 in 2015 and 181.3 in 2016. The difference of the mean score between 2013 and 2016 was significant. In addition, correlation analysis showed a significant association between mean KCPE score in the project years and school health checklist score (Pearson's coefficient was 0.43, p = 0.004). The results of this study suggest improvements of school health by the implementation of the Kenyan Comprehensive School Health Program and students' academic attainment.

Examining the appropriateness and reliability of the strategy of the Kenyan Comprehensive School Health Program

The Kenyan government established the Kenyan Comprehensive School Health Program (KCSHP) on the basis of Kenyan National School Health Policy. A KCSHP pilot project was carried out in eight primary schools in Mbita Sub-County of Homa Bay County in the Nyanza Region from 2012 to 2017. This pilot project provided health facilities and support for evaluation with a school health checklist, and organized teacher training on health education, a child health club, and school-based health check-ups. The present study aimed to examine the appropriateness and reliability of the strategy of the second KCSHP pilot project in Kenya. We analyzed data from self-administered questionnaires targeted at pupils in seventh-grade in the eight primary schools. The questionnaire consisted of questions on health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices, self-evaluated physical and mental health status, self-awareness of health control, subjective happiness, recognition on the importance of learning about health in school, absenteeism, and sense of school belongingness. The project contributed to improving health-related knowledge, attitudes and practices, self-evaluated health status, sense of school belongingness, recognition on the importance of learning about health in school, self-awareness of health control, and absenteeism. On the contrary, subjective happiness did not improve significantly.

Minimizing the Drainage Period for Continuous Ambulatory Peritoneal Dialysis

Objectives

To examine features of drainage flow and to determine whether the drainage period could be safely reduced in continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients.

Design

Open nonrandomized prospective study in CAPD patients.

Setting

The kidney center in a tertiary care university hospital.

Patients

Fourteen CAPD patients with good catheter function.

Interventions

Drainage flow pattern was studied using a 2-L dialysate. The drainage period was reduced from 28 minutes (mean) to 10 minutes throughout a short-term, 2-month study period and a long-term, 6-month study period for 10 patients.

Main Outcome Measures

Ultrafiltration volume, body weight, and peritoneal clearance.

Results

A kinetics analysis of the drainage period and volume indicated a positive linear correlation with two different slopes: one for rapid drainage for the first 5–7 minutes and one for subsequent slow drainage. The effluent exceded 80% in the former period. Ultrafiltration volume and body weight showed no change due to the reduction. Improved peritoneal clearance of small molecular substances could not be confirmed despite a 5% increase in the effective dialysis period. Nearly all patients were satisfied with the reduction and desired its continuation.

Conclusions

Ten minutes is a sufficient drainage period for most CAPD patients with a 2-L dialysate volume. This may possibly allow an increase in daily activities and an effective peritoneal membrane dialysate contact period.

Innervation and activity dependent dynamics of postsynaptic oxidative metabolism

Despite extensive investigations into the mechanisms of aerobic respiration in mitochondria, the spontaneous metabolic activity of individual cells within a whole animal has not been observed in real time. Consequently, little is known about whether and how the level of mitochondrial energy metabolism is regulated in a cell during development of intact systems. Here we studied the dynamics of postsynaptic oxidative metabolism by monitoring the redox state of mitochondrial flavoproteins, an established indicator of energy metabolism, at the developing Drosophila neuromuscular junction. We detected transient and spatially synchronized flavoprotein autofluorescence signals in postsynaptic muscle cells. These signals were dependent on the energy substrates and coupled to changes in mitochondrial membrane potential and Ca2+ concentration. Notably, the rate of autofluorescence signals increased during synapse formation through contact with the motoneuronal axon. This rate was also influenced by the magnitude of synaptic inputs. Thus, presynaptic cells tightly regulate postsynaptic energy metabolism presumably to maintain an energetic balance during neuromuscular synaptogenesis. Our results suggest that flavoprotein autofluorescence imaging should allow us to begin assessing the progress of synapse formation from a metabolic perspective.

Synaptic components necessary for retrograde signaling triggered by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II during synaptogenesis

The development and function of presynaptic terminals are tightly controlled by retrograde factors presented from postsynaptic cells. However, it remains elusive whether major constituents of synapses themselves are necessary for retrograde modulation during synaptogenesis. Here we show that the homophilic cell adhesion molecule Fasciclin II (FasII) as well as the scaffolding protein Discs large (DLG) is indispensable for retrograde signaling initiated by calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) at developing Drosophila neuromuscular junctions. Postsynaptic activation of CaMKII increased the area of nerve terminals, the number of active zones, and the frequency of miniature excitatory synaptic currents in wild-type animals. However, all of these retrograde effects were abolished in the fasII or dlg mutant background. On the other hand, the retrograde effects remained in null mutants of the glutamate receptor subunit GluRIIA. Furthermore, we show that CaMKII-induced modulation was independent of the bone morphogenetic protein signaling that is important for retrograde control at mature larvae. These results highlight a novel function of FasII as well as DLG, and more broadly, illustrate that prime synaptic components are necessary for transferring target-derived signals to presynaptic cells at a certain developing synapse.

Developmental stage-dependent modulation of synapses by postsynaptic expression of activated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

In Drosophila neuromuscular junctions, there is a unique system which consists of two neighboring muscles (M6 and M7) innervated by the same neurons and a gene of interest can be expressed in only M6 or in both muscles by GAL4-upstream activating sequence expression system. By using this system, we previously demonstrated that expression of activated calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) in the muscle cell promotes coordinated maturation of pre- and postsynaptic sites of larvae just after hatching (JAH larvae) in a synapse-specific manner. Here we show that the promotive effects are no longer seen in the older larvae, 8-10 h after hatching (8 h AH larvae). Morphological studies indicate that CaMKII activation in fact reduces postsynaptic sites at 8 h AH. This is opposite to the effect observed in JAH larvae. These results suggest that the mode of CaMKII function switches during development, and that regulation of postsynaptic CaMKII activity is necessary for normal synaptic development. Finally, we report that in 8 h AH but not in JAH larvae, synapses on M7, in which CaMKII activity is not manipulated, are affected by the expression of activated CaMKII in M6. This suggests the interesting possibility that at certain developmental stages only, modification of synapses on one target cell can influence the synapses on another target cell innervated by the same neurons.

Postsynaptic activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II promotes coordinated pre- and postsynaptic maturation of Drosophila neuromuscular junctions

The interaction between a neuron and its target cell(s) is essential for the development of synapses. To elucidate the role of target cells in synaptogenesis, the activity of postsynaptic calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) was manipulated in a mosaic manner and its specific effect was examined at the developing Drosophila neuromuscular junction. We found that postsynaptic expression of constitutively active CaMKII augmented the amplitude of excitatory synaptic currents (ESCs) and the frequency of miniature ESCs. It also promoted morphological maturation of presynaptic as well as postsynaptic specializations, which presumably underlie the enhancement of synaptic activities. Expression of an inhibitory peptide of CaMKII in the postsynaptic cell partially affected the synaptic maturation. These results suggest two significant functions of postsynaptic CaMKII in synaptogenesis-retrograde modulation of presynaptic properties and coordinated regulation of pre- and postsynaptic maturation.

Determination of residual double bonds in resin-dentin interface by Raman spectroscopy

OBJECTIVES

The quality of the hybrid layer is believed to be more important than the thickness of this layer. The purpose of this study was to investigate a method to analyze the percentage of adhesive resin residual double bonds in the dentin-resin interface using laser Raman spectroscopy.

METHODS

Bovine dentin was treated with dentin adhesives and resin composite was bonded according to the manufacturers' instructions. The specimens were sectioned parallel to dentinal tubules and the surfaces were then polished to 1 microm diamond pastes. Raman spectra were recorded along a line perpendicular to the dentin-resin interface in steps of 0.2 microm. The measurement of residual C=C bond was made on a relative basis by comparing the C=C unpolymerized methacrylate stretching vibration (1638 cm(-1)) against the C=O stretching mode of the ester group (1719 cm(-1)). The percentage of residual double bonds including pendant and monomeric double bonds was calculated by comparing the obtained ratio with that of uncured adhesive resin.

RESULTS

The amount of residual double bonds in the hybrid layer varied from 10 to 25% compared to the uncured adhesives, a relatively higher percentage was detected for Fluoro Bond (12.3-23.6%) and Single Bond (9.5-21.8%), and lower for Mac Bond II (10.6-18.0%) and Mega Bond (10.7-16.3%). No relationship was seen between the percentage of remaining double bonds and the location within the resin-dentin interface.

SIGNIFICANCE

Laser Raman microscopy used was a useful tool for measuring the residual double bonds in the dentin-resin interface.

Ex vivo whole-embryo culture of caspase-8-deficient embryos normalize their aberrant phenotypes in the developing neural tube and heart

Caspase-8 plays the role of initiator in the caspase cascade and is a key molecule in death receptor-induced apoptotic pathways. To investigate the physiological roles of caspase-8 in vivo, we have generated caspase-8-deficient mice by gene targeting. The first signs of abnormality in homozygous mutant embryos were observed in extraembryonic tissue, the yolk sac. By embryonic day (E) 10.5, the yolk sac vasculature had begun to form inappropriately, and subsequently the mutant embryos displayed a variety of defects in the developing heart and neural tube. As a result, all mutant embryos died at E11.5. Importantly, homozygous mutant neural and heart defects were rescued by ex vivo whole-embryo culture during E10.5-E11.5, suggesting that these defects are most likely secondary to a lack of physiological caspase-8 activity. Taken together, these results suggest that caspase-8 is indispensable for embryonic development.

Age-related changes in skin wrinkles assessed by a novel three-dimensional morphometric analysis

BACKGROUND

A system has been developed whereby the morphology of the skin surface can be evaluated directly in three dimensions. This system employs a non-invasive device that utilizes white light of halogen origin, and which allows the computation of wrinkle depth and width, and other parameters of skin surface morphology. Using innovative engineering, an optical system has been devised so that light is transmitted via a slit and can be used to measure not only replicas of the skin but also the skin surface directly. The measurement area is 6.4 x 6.4 mm, and the theoretical resolution with a x 50 magnification lens is within 12.5 micro m.

OBJECTIVES

To use this system to study age-related changes in the morphology of wrinkles at the eye corner areas of women of varying ages.

METHODS

One hundred and one healthy women (age range 20-80 years) residing in the Tokyo area were the subjects used in this study.

RESULTS

Wrinkles demonstrated a rapid increase in depth in women aged 40 years or older, and plateaued at the age of 60 years. Surface morphology parameters yielded results similar to those of age-related changes in wrinkles.

CONCLUSIONS

This new analytical system provides a rapid and convenient non-invasive method to evaluate skin surface morphology in three dimensions, especially with respect to wrinkle formation. The results obtained using this system provide a deeper insight into the mechanistic relationship between wrinkles and skin elasticity.

[Successful treatment of idiopathic pure red cell aplasia with antithymocyte globulin]

An 18-year-old woman was admitted to our hospital because of severe anemia on October 16, 1999. Laboratory data included hemoglobin 3.5 g/dl, reticulocytes 2,200/microliter, WBC 3,500/microliter, and Plt 38.5 x 10(4)/microliter. Bone marrow aspiration showed a normocellular marrow with severe erythroid hypoplasia, suggesting a diagnosis of pure red cell aplasia. Methylprednisolone pulse therapy was started on October 20, but there was no response. Administration of cyclosporine A (CyA; 400-450 mg) was begun on November 1, but again there was no response. Antithymocyte globulin (ATG; 800 mg/day for 5 days, 15 mg/kg) was started from December 1 in addition to prednisolone (60 mg/day) and CyA (450 mg/day). On day 7 of ATG therapy, the reticulocyte count began to increase, and reached a peak of 32.6 x 10(4)/microliter on day 20. The patient's hemoglobin level started to increase on day 13, and reached 8.5 g/dl on day 27. A complete response has been maintained up to the time of writing, and the hemoglobin level was 11.9 g/dl on December 14, 2000. This is the first detailed Japanese case report of successful treatment of pure red cell aplasia using ATG.

[Successful combined therapy with ATG, cyclosporin and G-CSF for both liver dysfunction and bone marrow failure in hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia]

A 28-year-old man developed cryptogenic hepatitis in January 1999, and treatment with glycyrrhizic acid improved his liver function. From June, however, pancytopenia began to develop gradually. The patient received G-CSF against leukocytopenia (WBC 1,100/microliter, neutrophils 590/microliter) and was transferred to our hospital in August 1999. A diagnosis of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia was made on the basis of liver dysfunction (AST 156 IU/l, ALT 386 IU/l), hypoplastic bone marrow, and pancytopenia (WBC 4,400/microliter, neutrophils 3,340/microliter under G-CSF administration, Hb 9.8 g/dl, platelets 2.4 x 10(4)/microliter, reticulocytes 4.7 x 10(4)/microliter). Immediately after starting combined therapy with ATG, cyclosporin, and G-CSF, his liver function began to improve and was normalized on day 7. Pancytopenia began to ameliorate on day 9, and blood parameters on day 60 were WBC 4,200/microliter (without G-CSF administration), Hb 12.0 g/dl, platelets 9.0 x 10(4)/microliter, and reticulocytes 4.1 x 10(4)/microliter. Although the prognosis of hepatitis-associated aplastic anemia is generally poor, immunosuppressive therapy was markedly effective for both pancytopenia and hepatic dysfunction in the present case.

Incomplete Sjögren-Larsson syndrome in two Japanese siblings

Sjögren-Larsson syndrome (SLS) is a rare, autosomal recessive disorder characterized by ichthyosis, spastic diplegia and mental retardation. Biochemical studies have pinpointed the pathogenesis resulting in the deficiency of the fatty aldehyde dehydrogenase (FALDH) component of the fatty alcohol NAD+ oxidoreductase complex. Histochemical analysis revealed a reduction in alcohol dehydrogenase (AD) activity in the skin. SLS patients have been categorized biochemically into two groups: complete and incomplete reduction according to the degree of FALDH deficiency. Our patients demonstrated incomplete clinical features, including a 1/3 reduction in FALDH activity, and decreased AD activity in the ichthyotic lesion. The phenotypical differences between our cases and classic SLS are probably due to the partial FALDH deficiency.

Ecotropic viral integration site-1 is activated during, and is sufficient for, neuroectodermal P19 cell differentiation

Expression of the ecotropic viral integration site-1 (Evi1) proto-oncogene during murine embryonal development is observed by in situ hybridization in primary head folds and neural crest-derived cells associated with the peripheral nervous system and embryonic mesoderm. To elucidate whether expression of Evi1 is involved in early neuroectodermal or mesodermal differentiation, we used murine embryonal carcinoma P19 cells as a model for the study of early embryonic differentiation. After retinoic acid (RA) treatment with aggregation, expression of Evi1 was detected during neural differentiation in P19 cells. However, Evi1 was not expressed in P19 cells during mesodermal differentiation after DMSO treatment with aggregation. Enforced expression of Evi1 in P19 cells induced neuron-specific microtubule-associated protein-2 microtubule-associated protein-2 and TrkA expression in the absence of RA under monolayer culture. After incubation with RA with aggregation, the Evi1 clones expressed microtubule-associated protein-2 continuously but did not express glial fibrillary acidic protein as an astrocyte marker protein until 12 days of culture. Thus, the overexpression of Evi1 leads to neural differentiation of P19 cells and blocks further differentiation into astrocytes by RA treatment, suggesting that Evi1 might be an important transcription factor for regulation of early neuroectodermal differentiation.

Characterization of the antiseptic-resistance gene qacE delta 1 isolated from clinical and environmental isolates of Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae non-O1

The nucleotide sequence and mechanism of action were examined on the antiseptic-resistance gene qacE delta 1 that had been isolated from Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Vibrio parahaemolyticus and Vibrio cholerae non-O1. The nucleotide sequences of qacE delta 1 genes isolated from environmental isolates of V. cholerae non-O1 and V. parahaemolyticus differed by one base from that of the gene from P. aeruginosa. Escherichia coli C600 that harbored qacE delta 1 genes from several strains of Vibrio spp. exhibited low-level resistance to intercalating dyes. The resistance of E. coli cells with these genes to intercalating dyes, such as ethidium bromide, was mediated by an efflux system. Moreover, the activity of QacE delta 1 was inhibited in the presence of calcium channel blockers but not of calmodulin inhibitors. These results indicate that the qacE delta 1 gene can be function in E. coli and that the gene mediates resistance in a similar manner to the antiseptic-resistance gene smr.

Distribution of the antiseptic-resistance gene qacE delta 1 in gram-positive bacteria

The distribution of the antiseptic-resistance genes qacE and qacE delta 1, originally isolated from Gram-negative bacteria, was studied in a large number of Gram-positive bacteria by a method that included the polymerase chain reaction. A total of 151 strains of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus, isolated from clinical sources and obtained from the Japanese Collection of Microorganisms, was used in this analysis. We found the qacE delta 1 gene in 36 of 103 strains of Staphylococcus and in nine of 48 strains of Enterococcus. All of the strains in which we detected the qacE delta 1 gene were clinical isolates. The qacE gene was not detected in any of the strains examined in this study. The nucleotide sequences of the qacE delta 1 genes from the strains of Staphylococcus and Enterococcus were identical to that of the gene located on integron InC in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. These results indicate that the antiseptic-resistance gene qacE delta 1 is present in Gram-positive, as well as Gram-negative, bacteria.

Isolation of an Escherichia coli mutant which permits the high-level expression of a streptomycin-resistance gene derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa

Pretreatment with streptomycin at a low concentration influenced the susceptibility to streptomycin of a strain of Escherichia coli carrying a streptomycin-resistance plasmid, pSA1700, derived from Pseudomonas aeruginosa. This phenomenon was due to a mutation that occurred at about 10(-8)-10(-10) of frequency in a regulatory gene involved in gene expression on the chromosome of E. coli. A product encoded by the regulatory gene on the chromosome of E. coli might normally repress gene expression by binding to part of the promoter region of the streptomycin-resistance gene derived from P. aeruginosa.

Distribution of the antiseptic-resistance genes qacE and qacE delta 1 in gram-negative bacteria

The distribution of the antiseptic-resistance genes qacE and qacE delta 1 was studied in a large number of Gram-negative bacteria by a method that included the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). A total of 117 strains of Gram-negative bacteria, isolated from clinical or environmental sources, was used in this analysis. We demonstrated the presence of these genes in 48 of 78 strains of Pseudomonas, in 20 of 26 strains of Vibrio, and in four of 13 strains of other species. These results indicate that the antiseptic-resistance genes are present in a broad range of species of Gram-negative bacteria.

Acute myeloblastic leukemia associated with trisomy 8 and translocation 8;21 in a child with Down syndrome

The present study examined an 11-year-old girl with Down syndrome who suffered from acute myeloblastic leukemia (AML) preceded by preleukemic pancytopenia. Chromosomal analysis of leukemic cells revealed a chromosome change at t(8;21) and trisomy 8 associated with constitutional trisomy 21. Treatment with antineoplastic agents led to complete remission.

Hyperplastic (metaplastic) polyposis of the colorectum associated with adenomas and an adenocarcinoma

Hyperplastic (metaplastic) polyposis associated with adenoma and adenocarcinoma of the colorectum is rare. We describe a 55-year-old man with hyperplastic polyposis associated with multiple adenomas and an adenocarcinoma who underwent total colectomy. We found at least 200 polyps in the surgical specimen. Nearly all of the polyps were hyperplastic, and some were adenomas. Furthermore, some hyperplastic polyps had adenomatous areas. This indicates the transformational sequence of a hyperplastic polyp to adenoma to adenocarcinoma.

[Acute myelogenous leukemia with ins(21;8) expressing AML-1-MTG8 fusion transcript]

Here we report a case of acute myelogenous leukemia (M2, FAB classification) presenting with cytogenetic abnormalities of ins(21;8), +del(8) without t(8;21). A 8;21 chromosome translocation is frequently found in acute myelogenous leukemia, especially in the M2 subtype. The translocation results in a fusion transcript between AML1 and MTG8 (ETO), assigned on chromosomes 21 and 8, respectively. Among patients with a t(8;21) abnormality, solid leukemic tumor deposits outside the marrow or good response to chemotherapy are observed frequently. Decrease in neutrophil alkaline phosphatase score and positive rate, and eosinophilia in bone marrow or the blast cells with Auer rods expressing CD19, CD56 antigens occur at a relatively high rate. Although our case lacked these clinical, cytological and cytochemical features, expression of chimeric AML1-MTG8 mRNA was detected. AML1-MTG8 fusion transcript may play a critical role in leukemogenesis of AML M2. Studies on this case may help to reveal the oncogenic function of the AML1-MTG8 fusion gene in AML M2.

Common acute lymphoblastic leukemia preceded by hypercalcemia in an infant

A case of common acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) preceded by hypercalcemia was observed in an infant. A high blood level of parathyroid hormone related protein (PTH-rP) was detected during the first examination at Ohashi Hospital. Treatment with antineoplastic agents led to complete remission. The blood PTH-rP level decreased as a result of treatment. PTH-rP produced by leukemic cells was though to be the cause of the hypercalcemia.

Isolation and structure of a new integron that includes a streptomycin resistance gene from the R plasmid of Pseudomonas aeruginosa

A new integron, located on the R plasmid of Pseudomonas aeruginosa, was isolated in Japan. This integron was made up of two conserved segments (5'-and 3'-conserved segments) and a single streptomycin resistance gene as a gene cassette. The structure of this integron resembles that of integron InC, the existence of which was postulated by Bissonnette and Roy (J. Bacteriol. 174, 1248-1257, 1992).

Changes in the arrangement of actin filaments in myoid cells and Sertoli cells of rat testes during postnatal development and after experimental cryptorchidism

BACKGROUND

Abundant actin filaments are present in myoid cells and Sertoli cells in the testis. In the adult rat, the filaments form a lattice arrangement within the myoid cell, and show a hexagonal pattern in the basal junctional regions of Sertoli cells.

METHODS

Isolated seminiferous tubules and frozen sections were prepared from juvenile to adult Wistar rat testes, stained with FITC-conjugated phalloidin, and observed by confocal microscopy. Unilateral cryptorchidism was induced in adult rats, and seven days later, their testes were also examined.

RESULTS

In the myoid cell, parallel actin filaments running circularly around the seminiferous tubules were observed at 15 and 20 days of age. Then, at 30 days, actin filaments arranged longitudinally along the tubular long axis appeared in addition to the circular bundles. A lattice arrangement of actin-filament bundles in myoid cells became obvious at 40 days, when elongated spermatids are found in the tubule. Actin filaments in the basal junctional regions of Sertoli cells did not acquire the hexagonal pattern seen in the adult testis until 30 days of age. In the cryptorchid testes, the arrangement of actin filaments in the both cells showed a remarkable change compared to the control testis; the filaments became thinner and disrupted.

CONCLUSIONS

A lattice arrangement of the actin filaments in the myoid cell appear at around 30 days, before the completion of spermatogenesis. A hexagonal pattern of the filaments in the junctional regions of Sertoli cells has already developed at this age. Cryptorchidism affects the actin filaments of the both cells.

Characterization of recombinant human neuron-specific enolase and its application to enzyme immunoassay

Human gamma-enolase cDNA prepared by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction was cloned into the Escherichia coli expression vector pKK223-3. The resulting plasmid, pHTK503, expressed human gamma-enolase as a 46-kDa protein in SDS-PAGE, and in the cells as the active gamma gamma form (designated as recombinant human NSE; R-NSE). R-NSE was purified from E. coli by several chromatographic elutions. Finally, 6.0 mg of R-NSE from 8.1 g cells was purified with a specific activity of 86 units/mg protein. The structural properties of R-NSE were compared with the NSE purified from human brain tissue (B-NSE). The biochemical and enzymatic characteristics were essentially the same, except for the isoelectric point (4.5 for B-NSE and 4.7 for R-NSE). In an NSE immunoassay system, R-NSE and standard NSE were almost equal in reactivity to the anti-NSE antibody. These results indicate that R-NSE can be used as standard assay material.

Primary structure of a nuclease (nuclease PA3) from a Penicillium sp

The complete primary structure of a nuclease from a Penicillium sp. [nuclease PA3 (Kazama et al., Chem. Pharm. Bull., 38, 3081 (1990)] was determined. The sequencing was done by analysis of the peptides generated by digestion of reduced and carboxymethylated nuclease PA3 (RCM nuclease PA3) with lysylendopeptidase, and by digestion with staphylococcal V8 protease or chemical cleavage with BrCN. It consisted of 270 amino acid residues and carbohydrate moieties attached to the 92nd, 138th, 184th, and 197th asparagine residues. The molecular weight of the protein moiety deduced from the sequence was 29,211. It contains four half cystine residues. The amino acid sequence was identical with that of P1 nuclease from Penicillium citrinum [K. Maekawa, S. Tsunasawa, G. Dibo, and F. Sakiyama, Abstracts of Papers, the 62nd Meeting of the Biochemical Society of Japan, Seikagaku, 61, 1013 (1989)] except that the 190th Thr residue was Ile in P1 nuclease.

Purification and characterization of a nuclease (3'-nucleotidase) from a Penicillium sp

A nuclease (3'-nucleotidase) similar to P1 nuclease from Penicillium citrinum was purified from a commercial digestive from a Penicillium sp. The activity of the nuclease (PA) was separated to three fractions by diethylaminoethyl-Toyopearl 650M column chromatography, in total yield of 10%. The apparent molecular weight of these three nucleases, PA1, PA2 and PA3 was 35000, 33000, and 32000, respectively. All of them were homogeneous so far as checked by sodium dodecyl sulfate slab gel electrophoresis. The three nucleases differed in carbohydrate content, but their amino acid composition was practically the same, and very similar to that of P1 nuclease. The molecular weight of nuclease PA3, the major component of nuclease PA, was approximately 27000 after digestion by endoglycosidase F. The N-terminal and C-terminal amino acid sequences of nuclease PA3 were determined by Edman degradation and carboxypeptidase(s) digestion, respectively. The nuclease PA3 was inactivated in the presence of 10 mM ethylenediamine tetraacetic acid (EDTA) and 65% of its native enzyme activity restored by the addition of 20 mM ZnCl2. The pH-dependent photooxidative inactivation of nuclease PA3 was accelerated by removal of Zn ion by EDTA or trishydroxymethyl aminomethane, indicating the possible chelation of Zn2+ with some histidine residues.

Follow-up study of medial facetectomies and posterolateral fusion with instrumentation in unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis

From 1978 to 1983, 54 consecutive patients with unstable degenerative spondylolisthesis were treated by medial facetectomies and posterolateral fusion with combined distraction and compression rod instrumentation. The average period of follow-up observation was 30 months. Twenty-five patients had a combination of disc herniation or instability, excluding olisthesis. Single-level fusion was performed in 29 patients, two-level in 23, and three-level in two. Preoperative low-back pain in 87.0% and sciatica in 66.7% were reduced to 7.5% and 5.6%, respectively, at follow-up treatment. Preoperative neurogenic intermittent claudication in 63.0% and neurogenic bladder in 11.1% disappeared completely in all patients at follow-up examination. The solid fusion rate was 96.3%. Difference between the values of %-slip and slip-angle before surgery and those at follow-up examination was not statistically significant. Rod breakage occurred in two patients with pseudarthrosis. The overall clinical results were satisfactory relief of clinical symptoms and regression of physical signs, with a high rate of solid fusion.

Studies on the composition of gases in the post-mortem body: animal experiments and two autopsy cases

The composition of gases was measured in a cadaver, particularly in the stomach, using gas chromatography. High concentrations of carbon dioxide (CO2) and hydrogen (H2) and a low concentration of methane (CH4) were found. At an environmental temperature of 25 degrees C, the concentrations of CO2 and H2 were approximately 80% and 10%, respectively, at an advanced stage of putrefaction, while at an environmental temperature of 15 degrees C the concentrations were approximately 60% and 35%, respectively. These gases were not produced until the fourth day at 15 degrees C, but after that the volume of gases was greater than that produced at 25 degrees C, the cadaver becoming greatly enlarged. Oxygen (O2) in air injected into a body disappeared during putrefaction. This study revealed that H2 was the main component of inflammable gas in a dead body. The mechanisms of production of the gases are also discussed.

Observations of ridge appearances in a normal population and in Down syndrome patients (21-trisomy) using the scanning electron microscope

A celluloid plate containing a drop of amyl acetate was pressed to the skin. The impression thus obtained was coated with carbon and gold and observed under the scanning electron microscope. Impressions from the fingers of the normal population showed the crests and furrows of the finger prints clearly. The impressions from the fingers of Down syndrome patients were a mixture of the normal crests and furrows and of hypoplastic crests and furrows.

Case report of deaths caused by freon gas

A report of two autopsies which is thought to be the first case of its kind in Japan is presented here. The cause of death was concluded to be oxygen deficiency from the filling of a compartment by Freon gas escaping from a cylinder. However, the authors suspect that Freon per se is not a non-toxic substance as had been believed but has some toxicity because of the existence of fat droplets in hepatocytes of mice exposed to reon gas and because of the behavioral findings on them during experiments.

Dermatoglyphics in Cri du Chat syndrome

The dermatoglyphics of 33 Japanese (20 females and 13 males) with Cri du Chat syndrome were compared with 544 male and 129 female controls. In these cases, 18 cases were described only with regard to simian crease and distal axial triradius. It was found that these patients showed high frequencies of certain characteristics such as whorl pattern, arch pattern, thenar pattern, bilateral simian creases and distally displaced axial triradii on both palms (t').