Superconducting spin smecticity evidencing the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov state in Sr2RuO4

Translational symmetry breaking is antagonistic to static fluidity but can be realized in superconductors, which host a quantum-mechanical coherent fluid formed by electron pairs. A peculiar example of such a state is the Fulde-Ferrell-Larkin-Ovchinnikov (FFLO) state, induced by a time-reversal symmetry-breaking magnetic field applied to spin-singlet superconductors. This state is intrinsically accompanied by the superconducting spin smecticity, spin density-modulated fluidity with spontaneous translational-symmetry breaking. Detection of such spin smecticity provides unambiguous evidence for the FFLO state, but its observation has been challenging. Here, we report the characteristic "double-horn" nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum in the layered superconductor Sr₂RuO₄ near its upper critical field, indicating the spatial sinusoidal modulation of spin density that is consistent with superconducting spin smecticity. Our work reveals that Sr₂RuO₄ provides a versatile platform for studying FFLO physics.

Aneuploid rescue precedes X-chromosome inactivation and increases the incidence of its skewness by reducing the size of the embryonic progenitor cell pool

STUDY QUESTION

Do monosomy rescue (MR) and trisomy rescue (TR) in preimplantation human embryos affect other developmental processes, such as X-chromosome inactivation (XCI)?

SUMMARY ANSWER

Aneuploid rescue precedes XCI and increases the incidence of XCI skewness by reducing the size of the embryonic progenitor cell pools.

WHAT IS KNOWN ALREADY

More than half of preimplantation human embryos harbor aneuploid cells, some of which can be spontaneously corrected through MR or TR. XCI in females is an indispensable process, which is predicted to start at the early-blastocyst phase.

STUDY DESIGN, SIZE, DURATION

We examined the frequency of XCI skewness in young females who carried full uniparental disomy (UPD) resulting from MR or TR/gamete complementation (GC). The results were statistically analyzed using a theoretical model in which XCI involves various numbers of embryonic progenitor cells.

PARTICIPANTS/MATERIALS, SETTING, METHODS

We studied 39 children and young adults ascertained by imprinting disorders. XCI ratios were determined by DNA methylation analysis of a polymorphic locus in the androgen receptor gene. We used Bayesian approach to assess the probability of the occurrence of extreme XCI skewness in the MR and TR/GC groups using a theoretical model of 1-12 cell pools.

MAIN RESULTS AND THE ROLE OF CHANCE

A total of 12 of 39 individuals (31%) showed skewed XCI. Extreme skewness was observed in 3 of 15 MR cases (20%) and 1 of 24 TR/GC cases (4.2%). Statistical analysis indicated that XCI in the MR group was likely to have occurred when the blastocyst contained three or four euploid embryonic progenitor cells. The estimated size of the embryonic progenitor cell pools was approximately one-third or one-fourth of the predicted size of normal embryos. The TR/GC group likely had a larger pool size at the onset of XCI, although the results remained inconclusive.

LIMITATIONS, REASONS FOR CAUTION

This is an observational study and needs to be validated by experimental analyses.

WIDER IMPLICATIONS OF THE FINDINGS

This study provides evidence that the onset of XCI is determined by an intrinsic clock, irrespectively of the number of embryonic progenitor cells. Our findings can also be applied to individuals without UPD or imprinting disorders. This study provides a clue to understand chromosomal and cellular dynamics in the first few days of human development, their effects on XCI skewing and the possible implications for the expression of X-linked diseases in females.

STUDY FUNDING/COMPETING INTEREST(S)

This study was supported by the Grants-in-aid for Scientific Research on Innovative Areas (17H06428) and for Scientific Research (B) (17H03616) from Japan Society for the Promotion of Science (JSPS), and grants from Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development (AMED) (18ek0109266h0002 and 18ek0109278h0002), National Center for Child Health and Development and Takeda Science Foundation. The authors declare no conflict of interest.

TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER

Not applicable.

Purification and Some Chemical Properties of Thrombin-Like Enzyme from Trimeresurus Flavoviridis Venom

There has been no previous report indicating whether thrombin-like enzyme is contained in the venomof Trimeresurus flavoviridis whichhas the strongest toxic effect in the case of Habu bite. The presentstudy was undertaken to clarify the existence of thrombin-like enzyme in Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom. As a starting material, lyophilized crude venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis was used, and ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel filtration using Sephadex G-25, Sephadex G-150 and arginine-Sepharose affinity chromatography were carried out to separate and purify a thrombin-like enzyme from the crude venom. The enzyme was purified to a 137-fold increase in specific activity and the purified preparation revealed a single band on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 65,000-70,000 daltons by means of SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, and its isoelectric point was pH 4.5-5.5. Furthermore, the optimal pH of the enzyme was in the range of pH 8.0 to 8.5. Some of the differences in enzymatic properties between this enzyme and bovine thrombin were studied. The snake enzyme could coagulate only rabbit plasma and convert only purified rabbit fibrinogen to fibrin gel. In addition, this thrombin-like enzyme released only fibrinopeptide A from purified rabbit fibrinogen and did not release fibrinopeptide B.

Variation during the week in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction: increased risk for Japanese women on Saturdays

BACKGROUND

Variations in the incidence of acute myocardial infarction during the week may differ between and within communities, according to lifestyle.

OBJECTIVE

To identify potential triggering factors for acute myocardial infarction by examining variations in incidence in the days of the week within the Osaka area of Japan.

PATIENTS

Of 2511 consecutive patients in this region who were admitted to hospital for acute myocardial infarction between April 1998 and March 2001 and consented to take part, 2400 who had a definitely identified time of onset were enrolled.

RESULTS

For this group as a whole, no significant difference in incidence was noted between days of the week. However, in subgroup analyses women were shown to have significant variation through the week, peaking on Saturday with a 39% increase in relative risk (p = 0.037); working subjects showed a peak on Monday, with a 26% increase in relative risk (p = 0.038). Stratified analyses showed that in working men there was a prominent Monday peak in the onset of infarction, with a 30% increase in relative risk (p = 0.022), while in working women, there was no significant variation through the week.

CONCLUSIONS

Earlier findings of a Monday peak linked to increased physical and mental occupational stress are confirmed. There is also an increase in uncertain risk factors on Saturdays for Japanese women, possibly involving a stressful weekend burden for women. Confirmation of this finding in other communities may help identify triggers of acute myocardial infarction and be useful in prevention.

Expression and sequence analyses of p33(ING1) gene in myeloid leukemia

p33(ING1) is a novel candidate tumor suppressor gene which is involved in the regulation of apoptosis. p33(ING1) interacts with p53 signaling pathway and regulates cellular growth. It has reported that the expression of p33(ING1) mRNA was decreased in lymphoid malignancies. We thus investigated the potential involvement of p33(ING1) abnormalities in myeloid leukemias. However, the levels of p33(ING1) transcript were almost equal in 3 AML cell lines and 10 fresh AML samples. In addition, neither point mutations nor deletions in p33(ING1) gene were found in myeloid leukemias. These results suggest that p33(ING1) may not be a major candidate tumor suppressor gene in myeloid leukemias.

Novel mutation in the PML/RARalpha chimeric gene exhibits dramatically decreased ligand-binding activity and confers acquired resistance to retinoic acid in acute promyelocytic leukemia

OBJECTIVE

All-trans retinoic acid (RA) resistance in acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) has been a serious clinical problem in differentiation-inducing therapy. However, the mechanisms underlying acquired RA resistance in APL patients are not well understood.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

We recently established a spontaneous RA-resistant APL cell line (UF-1) from a patient and used this cell line as an excellent in vitro model for RA-resistant clinical situations. We investigated the structural and functional abnormalities of chimeric PML/RARalpha gene in UF-1 cells and preserved materials from the original patient.

RESULTS

A novel point mutation was detected in the ligand-binding (E) domain of the RARalpha portion of the PML/RARalpha gene in UF-1 cells. This mutation resulted in amino acid substitution of Arg611 (CGG) for Trp611 (TGG) in the short-form PML/RARalpha protein, which corresponded to Arg276 in wild-type RARalpha. Importantly, the same mutation was also detected in the preserved materials from the original patient. COS-1 cells were transiently transfected with cDNA encoding wild-type and mutant PML/RARalpha constructed by site-directed mutagenesis and performed RA-binding assay. Interestingly, RA-binding activity was dramatically decreased in the mutant PML/RARalpha compared with that of the wild-type chimeric protein, suggesting that this single amino acid substitution is critical for RA binding.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly suggest that a novel point mutation in the ligand-binding domain of the RARalpha portion (Arg611) of the chimeric PML/RARalpha gene decreased sensitivity to all-trans RA. We conclude that acquisition of the PML/RARalpha mutation is one possible mechanism for development of RA resistance in patients with APL in vivo.

Circadian variation of the onset of acute myocardial infarction in the Osaka area, 1998-1999: characterization of morning and nighttime peaks

The onset of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) shows characteristic circadian variations; that is, a definite morning peak related to biologic rhythms and a vague nighttime peak related to socioeconomic factors. The recent economic recession in Japan may change the circadian variation, especially the nighttime peak. This study evaluated the recent circadian variation of AMI in Osaka and specified the patient subgroups showing either a morning or nighttime peak predominantly. Of 1,609 consecutive patients with AMI registered from April 1998 to January 2000, 1,252 whose onset of AMI was definitely identified were studied. The day was divided into six 4-h periods with a morning peak between 08.01 h and 12.00h, and nighttime peak between 20.01 h and 24.00h. When subgroup analysis was performed, female patients aged 65 years or more showed a morning peak alone and male patients aged less than 65 years with an occupation and the habits of cigarette smoking and alcohol intake showed a nighttime peak alone. Thus, in Osaka nighttime socioeconomic factors may currently be more potent triggers of AMI than the morning surges in younger male workers who smoke and drink.

Arsenic trioxide (As2O3)-induced apoptosis and differentiation in retinoic acid-resistant acute promyelocytic leukemia model in hGM-CSF-producing transgenic SCID mice

Recent clinical studies in China and USA showed that arsenic trioxide (As2O3) is an effective treatment of acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) patients refractory to all-trans retinoic acid (RA). We here investigate the effects of As2O3 on RA-resistant APL in vivo and in vitro using our RA-resistant APL model system. As2O3 can induce inhibition of cellular growth of both RA-sensitive NB4 and RA-resistant UF-1 APL cells via induction of apoptosis in vitro. The expression of BCL-2 protein decreased in a dose- and time-dependent manner in NB4 cells. Interestingly, the levels of BCL-2 protein were not modulated by As2O3, but it did upregulate BAX protein in UF-1 cells. UF-1 cells (1x10(7)) were transplanted into hGM-CSF-producing transgenic SCID mice and successfully formed subcutaneous tumors. After 40 days of implantation, mice were treated with As2O3, all-trans RA and PBS for 21 days. In all-trans RA- and PBS-treated mice, tumors grew rapidly, with a 4.5-fold increase in volume at day 21 compared to the initial size. In marked contrast, tumor size was decreased to half of the initial size by the treatment of As2O3, which resulted in cells with the typical appearance of apoptosis. Interestingly, one of the As2O3-treated mice showed mature granulocytes in the diminished tumor, suggesting that As2O3 had dual effects on RA-resistant APL cells in vivo: both inducing apoptosis and differentiation of the leukemic cells. We conclude that our RA-resistant APL model will be useful for evaluating novel therapeutic approaches to patients with RA-resistant APL, and for further investigation of the metabolism of As2O3 in vivo.

Pregnanes and pregnane glycosides from Hoya carnosa

Eleven pregnanes were isolated from the hydrolysate of the CHCl3 extract fractionated from the caules of Hoya carnosa. Among these, six pregnanes, including 19-acetoxydigipurpurogenin II, were new, and their structures were elucidated. The structures of twenty new pregnane tetraosides and pentaosides, named hoyacarnosides A-T, besides three known ones from the CHCl3 extract, were determined.

Serum thrombopoietin and erythropoietin levels in patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia during all-trans retinoic acid treatment

Endogenous serum thrombopoietin (TPO) and various cytokines including erythropoietin (EPO), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-6, IL-11, granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), granulocyte-macrophage-colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and stem cell factor (SCF) levels were measured in five patients with acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) during all-trans retinoic acid (RA) treatment. During differentiation-inducing therapy, platelet counts slowly increased and reached a peak between days 29 and 46 (median day 35). Serum TPO levels increased parallel to the increasing platelet counts and reached a maximum level during the first 10-20 d of all-trans RA treatment. The circulating TPO levels then decreased in inverse correlation to the platelet counts. These unique changes in serum TPO levels revealed that TPO levels were not regulated by platelet or megakaryocyte mass in patients with APL during differentiation-inducing therapy, and it would appear that TPO levels are directly regulated by all-trans RA during the first 10-20 d of treatment. In addition, the change in circulating EPO levels and reticulocyte counts were similar to that of the TPO levels and platelet counts during all-trans RA treatment, suggesting a close relationship between TPO and EPO signalling.

Establishment of a retinoic acid-resistant human acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL) model in human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (hGM-CSF) transgenic severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice

To understand the mechanisms and identify novel approaches to overcoming retinoic acid (RA) resistance in acute promyelocytic leukaemia (APL), we established the first human RA-resistant APL model in severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) mice. UF-1 cells, an RA-resistant APL cell line established in our laboratory, were transplanted into human granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF)-producing SCID (hGMTg SCID) mice and inoculated cells formed subcutaneous tumours in all hGMTg SCID mice, but not in the non-transgenic control SCID mice. Single-cell suspensions (UF-1/GMTg SCID cells) were similar in morphological, immunological, cytogenetic and molecular genetic features to parental UF-1 cells. All-trans RA did not change the morphological features of cells or their expression of CD11b. RA did not alter the growth curve of cells as determined by MTT assay, suggesting that UF-1/GMTg SCID cells are resistant to RA. These results demonstrate that this is the first RA-resistant APL animal model that may be useful for investigating the biology of this myeloid leukaemia in vivo, as well as for evaluating novel therapeutic approaches including patients with RA-resistant APL.

Demographic study of first-ever stroke and acute myocardial infarction in Okinawa, Japan

We performed a cross-sectional survey of stroke and acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Okinawa, Japan with a census population of about 1.2 million. A total of 3,644 cases of first-ever stroke and 898 cases of initial acute myocardial infarction (AMI) were detected. The age-adjusted annual incidence rate for stroke was 105 per 100,000 standard population of Japan, and that of AMI was 26. The case-fatality rate of stroke within 28 days of onset was 12.8%, and that of AMI was 22.2%. Of the stroke cases, 51.4% were diagnosed as brain infarction, 38.7% as brain hemorrhage, and 9.3% as subarachnoid hemorrhage. The diagnosis of stroke subtypes were confirmed by computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging in 98.4% of all stroke cases. In Okinawa, the incidence rate of AMI was still considerably lower than that in the Western population, and the rate of stroke was similar to that in the Western population.

Restoration of retinoid sensitivity by MDR1 ribozymes in retinoic acid-resistant myeloid leukemic cells

Complete remission is achieved in a high proportion of patients with acute promyelocytic leukemia (APL) after all-trans retinoic acid (RA) treatment, but most patients relapse and develop RA-resistant APL. We have previously reported that both RA-resistant HL-60 (HL-60R) and APL cells express P-glycoprotein and MDR1 transcripts; and these cells differentiate to mature granulocytes after culture with RA and P-glycoprotein antagonist. Ribozymes have been shown to be able to intercept a target RNA by catalytic activity. To address the role of MDR1 in overcoming RA-resistance in APL cells, we investigated the biologic effects of ribozymes against the MDR1 transcript in HL-60R cells. These ribozymes efficiently cleaved MDR1 mRNA at a specific site in vitro. The 196 MDR1 ribozyme was cloned into an expression vector, and stably transfected (HL-60R/196Rz) cells were obtained. Expression of MDR1 transcripts was decreased in HL-60R/196Rz cells compared with parental HL-60R and empty vector-transfected (HL-60R/neo) cells. Interestingly, RA inhibited cellular proliferation and induced differentiation of HL-60R/196Rz cells in a dose-dependent manner, suggesting reversal of drug resistance in HL-60R cells by the MDR1 ribozyme. These data are direct evidence that P-glycoprotein/MDR1 is responsible in part for acquired resistance to RA in myeloid leukemic cells. The MDR1 ribozyme may be a useful tool for investigating the biology of retinoid resistance and may have therapeutic potential for patients with RA-resistant APL.

Minor daphnane-type diterpenoids from Wikstroemia retusa

In addition to huratoxin, pimelea factor P2, and wikstroelides A-G from the fresh bark, eight daphnane-type diterpenoids, wikstroelides H-O, were isolated from the bark and stem, and their structures established. Cytotoxicity was assayed on some wikstroelides.

Impact of the initial levels of laboratory variables on survival in chronic dialysis patients

Besides the age at start of dialysis and the presence of diabetes mellitus, serum albumin has been shown to be a significant predictor of survival in prevalent dialysis patients. However, this was not evaluated in incipient dialysis patients. The initial biochemical variables were retrieved for a large dialysis population (N = 1,982) who were started on chronic dialysis in Okinawa, Japan from 1971 to 1990. Biochemical data that included blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine, serum electrolytes (sodium, potassium, calcium, and phosphate), total cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, serum albumin, and hematocrit obtained just before the first dialysis session were available for 1,491 (75.2%) patients. Six hundred sixty-four (43.2%) patients died by the end of 1993. Cox proportional analysis adjusted for sex, age, year of start of dialysis, presence of diabetes mellitus, and the laboratory variables was performed to examine the significance of the initial biochemical data on survival. The risk ratio was 0.577 (P = 0.0025) in serum albumin, 1.291 (P = 0.0138) in serum potassium, and 0.966 (P = 0.0202) in serum sodium. The study results support the notion that nutritional status is important for survival in chronic dialysis patients. Causes of hypoalbuminemia, hyperkalemia, and hyponatremia should be evaluated carefully at initiation of dialysis.

Epidemiologic analysis of diabetic patients on chronic dialysis

We retrospectively surveyed all of the available medical records of 404 (191 females and 213 males) chronic dialysis patients, of whom 16 (4%) had insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and 388 (96%) non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM). The patients were among 2,214 dialysis patients in Okinawa, Japan, of whom 443 were diabetic. The patients entered a large population-based dialysis registry. The mean duration from the diagnosis of diabetes mellitus (DM) to dialysis was 181.6 months in the IDDM patients and 150.4 months in the NIDDM patients. The NIDDM patients were classified into four subgroups according to their status when DM was first suspected. The duration from the diagnosis of DM until the onset of dialysis treatment was significantly shorter than in any other subgroup or in the IDDM subgroup with major vascular disease (131.9 months). Otherwise, the course of renal disease in NIDDM patients was similar to that in IDDM individuals. Most of our dialysis patients with DM had NIDDM. In most of the NIDDM patients, the diagnosis had been delayed for several years for unknown reason. However, if diagnosed early, NIDDM shows a clinical time course until dialysis similar to that of IDDM. Whether NIDDM patients contract chronic renal disease at an equal incidence to that of IDDM patients and the fraction of all diabetic patients accepted for chronic dialysis remain to be determined.

Evidence for high risk of cerebral hemorrhage in chronic dialysis patients

One-half of the total deaths in chronic dialysis patients are due to cardiovascular disease; however, the precise incidence and relative risk of those compared to normals are not known. Therefore, we sought to determine the annual incidence of cardiovascular disease and relative risk of those on chronic dialysis to the general population. Both the general population (1.2 million, Census 1990) and chronic dialysis patients (N = 1,609) in Okinawa, Japan were studied prospectively from April, 1988, to March, 1991. Diagnosis of stroke was made by symptoms and brain CT scan, and acute myocardial infarction was done by changes in electrocardiogram and serum enzymes. The relative risk (observed/expected ratio) was calculated by using the standardized morbidity rate obtained in both sexes and age-class every 10 years in the general population. Forty-one stroke (8 cerebral infarction, 31 cerebral hemorrhage, and 2 subarachnoid hemorrhage) and four acute myocardial infarction cases were registered during the study period in chronic dialysis patients. The incidence per 1,000 person-year was 11.5 in stroke, 2.2 in cerebral infarction, 8.7 in cerebral hemorrhage, 0.6 in subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 1.1 in acute myocardial infarction. The relative risk compared to normals was 5.2 in stroke, 2.0 in cerebral infarction, 10.7 in cerebral hemorrhage, 4.0 in subarachnoid hemorrhage, and 2.1 in acute myocardial infarction. Cerebral hemorrhage occurred at 10 years younger than that of the general population (P < 0.001) and was associated with high prevalence of hypertension and low levels of serum albumin and cholesterol. Our results confirm the importance of blood pressure control and nutritional status in chronic dialysis patients.

Purification and some chemical properties of thrombin-like enzyme from Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom

There has been no previous report indicating whether thrombin-like enzyme is contained in the venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis which has the strongest toxic effect in the case of Habu bite. The present study was undertaken to clarify the existence of thrombin-like enzyme in Trimeresurus flavoviridis venom. As a starting material, lyophilized crude venom of Trimeresurus flavoviridis was used, and ammonium sulphate fractionation, gel filtration using Sephadex G-25, Sephadex G-150 and arginine-Sepharose affinity chromatography were carried out to separate and purify a thrombin-like enzyme from the crude venom. The enzyme was purified to a 137-fold increase in specific activity and the purified preparation revealed a single band on SDS-PAGE. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated to be 65,000-70,000 daltons by means of SDS-PAGE and gel filtration, and its isoelectric point was pH 4.5-5.5. Furthermore, the optimal pH of the enzyme was in the range of pH 8.0 to 8.5. Some of the differences in enzymatic properties between this enzyme and bovine thrombin were studied. The snake enzyme could coagulate only rabbit plasma and convert only purified rabbit fibrinogen to fibrin gel. In addition, this thrombin-like enzyme released only fibrinopeptide A from purified rabbit fibrinogen and did not release fibrinopeptide B.

The role of fibrinolytic enzymes in inflammation and paranasal mucous membrane

The distribution and role of tissue plasminogen activator (TA) and proactivator (PA) in various diseases of the nasal and paranasal cavity were investigated. The stronger the inflammatory and proliferative response of the paranasal mucous membrane, the weaker was the fibrinolytic activity of TA. The fibrinolytic activity of PA tended to be stronger than TA activity. It is considered that PA may play an important role in inflammatory enlargement and proliferation of the paranasal mucous membrane, but does not play an important role in carcinogenic enlargement and proliferation of the nasal and paranasal mucous membrane.

Interaction of fibrinolytic activity between the tracheobronchial secretion and circulating blood of rats

In order to clarify the origin and release mechanism of plasminogen activator in the tracheobronchial secretion of rats, electrophoretic analysis of the secretion and studies on the effects of certain vasoactive drugs on the activator activity in the secretion were carried out. From the results of electrophoretic analysis of the tracheobronchial secretion in non-treated rats, protease inhibitor composed of glycoprotein was not contained in the secretion in contrast to the circulating blood, but a protein of low molecular weight like albumin in the circulating blood was contained in the secretion. Furthermore, after injection of noradrenalin, the blood pressure was temporarily elevated and the fibrinolytic activity of the euglobulin fraction in the circulatory blood was also increased. Subsequent to this elevation of fibrinolytic activity in the circulating blood, the fibrinolytic activity in the tracheobronchial secretion increased. Based on these results, it is suggested that the increase of fibrinolytic activity in the circulating blood was due to increased release of plasminogen activator from the vascular wall, and the increased fibrinolytic activity of the tracheobronchial secretion was caused by a consequent increased transudation of plasminogen activator from the circulating blood into the tracheobronchial lumen.

Studies on proactivator from the paranasal mucous membrane in chronic sinusitis

We succeeded in differentiating the proactivator (PA) in tissue extract of paranasal mucous membrane with chronic sinusitis by the gel filtration technique. Furthermore, the results demonstrated that PA in the tissue extracts of the paranasal mucous membrane with chronic sinusitis and antrochoanal polyp was unrelated to the antigenicity of plasminogen. In particular, it was clarified that the tissue extract of antrochoanal polyp as a source of PA was not related to the antigenicity of plasminogen.

Role of the autonomic nervous system in regulating salivary mucin secretion by the canine submandibular gland in vivo

The secretion of mucin was assessed by measuring changes in protein and sialic acid concentrations in saliva. Electrical stimulation of the sympathetic nerve increased protein and sialic acid concentrations greatly but stimulation of the parasympathetic nerve by bethanechol (5-20 micrograms/kg, intravenously) caused a slight increase. Sympathomimetic drugs (1-10 micrograms/kg, intravenously) also increased protein and sialic acid concentrations (isoproterenol greater than adrenaline greater than noradrenaline). Mucin secretion was increased by H133/22, a beta 1 adrenoceptor agonist, or terbutaline, which is roughly equipotent. Adrenaline-induced mucin secretion was inhibited by propranolol, but not by tolazoline. These data suggest that mucin secretion is predominantly regulated by the sympathetic nervous system via beta adrenoceptors, both beta 1 and beta 2.

Stimulation of catecholamine release from isolated adrenal glands by some amino acids

The effects of several amino acids on isolated perfused adrenal glands of dogs were investigated. Methionine (5 x 10(-5)--5 x 10(-2) M), glutamic acid (5 x 10(-5--5 x 10(-2) M), glutamine (10(-4)--5 x 10(-2) M), serine (5 x 10(-4)--5 x 10(-2) M), cysteine (5 x 10(-4)--5 x 10(-2) M), arginine (10(-3)--5 x 10(-2) M), and threonine (5 x 10(-3)--5 x 10(-2) M) consistently increased the rate of release of catecholamine (CA) from the glands for about 8 min. Preinfusion with hexamethonium (C6, 10(-4) M) plus atropine (5 x 10(-5) M) reduced the effects of methionine and glutamic acid slightly, and it completely inhibited the effect of acetylcholine (ACh, 10(-6)--10(-3) M). Preinfusion of physostigmine did not significantly influence the effects of methionine, glutamic acid, cysteine, and serine. Ca2+ free perfusion fluid depressed or abolished the effects of amino acids. They had no effect on the release of CA from isolated chromaffin granules. It seems likely that amino acids depolarize chromaffin cells in the adrenals and release CA from its storage sites. The effects of these amino acids on adrenal medulla cannot involve release of ACh from splanchnic nerve endings.

Differentiation of proactivator from tissue plasminogen activator with low molecular weight in the paranasal mucous membrane

It has been shown that large amounts of fibrinolytic enzyme are contained in tissue extracts of the paranasal mucous membrane in patients with chronic sinusitis. However, the fibrinolytic enzyme in the tissue extracts has not yet been characterized by biochemical techniques. In the present study, proactivator was differentiated from tissue plasminogen activator with low molecular weight in extracts of the paranasal mucous membrane and the existence of the proactivator was thus demonstrated in tissue extracts. By analogy with the proactivator in antrochoanal polyps, this proactivator may play an important role in the proliferation and enlargement of the paranasal mucous membrane.

Antiplasmin activity in carrageenin-induced inflammation of rats

The significance of inhibitors in the coagulation-fibrinolysis system was examined by inducing experimental inflammation with carrageenin. Fast-acting plasmin inhibitor, alpha 2-plasmin inhibitor (alpha 2-Pl), was recently discovered in human blood and it was stated that such alpha 2-Pl represents the most sensitive and specific inhibitor of plasmin. The possible role of alpha 2-Pl has been studied in detail in vitro and in vivo in relation to the thrombolytic condition and bleeding based on hyperfibrinolysis. However, the significance of alpha 2-Pl has not been clarified for the inflammatory state and diseases. In the present study in order to clarify the possible role of alpha 2-Pl in inflammatory responses, the antiplasmin activity in the plasma and local fluid (exudate) was investigated using an animal model of inflammation. After subcutaneous injection of carrageenin into the dorsum of rats, on day 7 and 21, the antiplasmin activity in the plasma was significantly higher than that in the plasma of non-treated rats (p less than 0.001). However, the antiplasmin activity in the plasma on day 7 was not significantly different from that on day 21. On the other hand, the antiplasmin activity in the exudate on day 21 was significantly lower than that on day 7 (p less than 0.001). Based on ;these results, it is suggested that the antiplasmin in the inflammatory exudate was consumed during the inflammation to form the hard wall of the carrageenin pouch.

Thrombin inhibitors. 1. Ester derivatives of N alpha-(arylsulfonyl)-L-arginine

A series of N alpha-(arylsulfonyl)-L-arginine esters was prepared and tested as inhibitors of the clotting activity of thrombin. N alpha-Dansyl-L-arginine methyl ester was the most inhibitory of the N alpha-(arylsulfonyl)-L-arginine methyl esters. The most potent inhibitors were the n-propyl and n-butyl esters of N alpha-dansyl-L-arginine with an I50 of 2 X 10(-6) M. Esters of unsaturated straight-chain alcohols with a chain length of four carbons were also as inhibitory as the n-butyl ester. The inhibitors were hydrolyzed by thrombin and trypsin more slowly than N alpha-tosyl-L-arginine methyl ester.

Effects of cue-controlled relaxation, a placebo treatment, and no treatment on changes in self-reported test anxiety among college students

Twenty-eight test-anxious Ss received either "cue-controlled relaxation therapy," an inert placebo treatment, or no treatment. Once before and twice after the experimental treatment period each S responded to three test-anxiety scales and to one measure of public-speaking anxiety. Once after the treatment, Ss rated the credibility of the procedure to which they had been exposed. Pre- and posttreatment scores on the measure of (untreated) speech anxiety and posttreatment ratings of credibility both showed that the cued relaxation and placebo procedures exerted equivalent experimental demand for improvement. Scores on all three test-anxiety measures showed that, under these conditions of equivalent demand,the placebo procedure reduced self-reports of test anxiety at least as much as did cue-controlled relaxation. Implications are discussed.